Semua Bab Side Chick Era… Over: Bab 1971 - Bab 1980

Thomas knew exactly how much Sharon had sacrificed for Theo.Then it seemed only natural that, to give Theo a complete family, she might consider to remarry Carter.Carter's voice was calm but firm. "It doesn't matter if anything happens to me. As long as you and Theo are safe, that's enough."Then, as if a thought had struck him, he hesitated and asked cautiously, "The Ferrero family… they can be extreme and unpredictable. Are you sure he won't do anything to hurt you?"Sharon lowered her gaze, smoothing away the thoughts in her eyes."He won't. Thomas would never hurt me."Watching her place such absolute trust in another man, Carter felt a pang of something he couldn't name."That's good," he said quietly.Sharon added, "I won't be going back tonight. Thomas will probably come looking for me. Lock the door, don't let him in."Carter froze for a moment. "Wait, am I… suddenly in the role of an accomplice?"It was strange—he had gone from being Sharon's ex-husband to… her sec

"If you bring up breaking up again, I'll get angry."When Thomas wasn't smiling, his face carried a cold edge, far from his usual warm, easygoing demeanor. The aura around him was sharp and unyielding.Sharon had known Thomas for a long time. Aside from that one incident when he discovered Jamie had been talking to her for half a year, Thomas had rarely shown her this level of coldness. He never argued with her, and whenever there was even a hint of conflict between them, he would be the first to apologize or compromise.But now, seeing him visibly tense at her repeated mentions of separation, Sharon felt her breath catch in her chest.This time, however, she didn't soften. She turned and started up the stairs.Thomas grabbed her wrist, pulling her into his embrace. His voice softened. "Sharon, there will be a way. Look at me—I'm fine, aren't I?"Sharon had made up her mind. She refused to prolong this any longer. Her voice was steady, devoid of emotion."Thomas, you've been thr

Sharon dried her face and said lightly, "Thomas, this isn't a physical problem. It's a wound of the heart."Thomas fell silent.When she stepped out of the bathroom, Carter and Theo were waiting outside, their expressions full of concern."Sharon, are you okay?" Carter asked.Theo's face was tense. "Mom, if you're not feeling well today, just stay home. We don't have to go play."Sharon shook her head with a smile. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."Breakfast had been light. After eating, they all piled into the car and drove to the amusement park.Carter sat stiffly in the passenger seat, periodically glancing in the rearview mirror at the backseat. Sharon, Theo, and Thomas were seated there.Theo chatted happily with Thomas and whispered a few secrets to Sharon, laughing. For him, it seemed they were the real family of three, and he was just the driver.He suddenly understood why Sharon had asked him to help. Thomas was not someone she could easily walk away from.At the amu

Sharon lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry… Carter is Theo's father. I can't avoid seeing him."The air grew heavy, suffused with tension. In the quiet room, only the sound of Thomas's increasingly ragged breathing could be heard.Sharon pushed him away and turned to leave—but suddenly, Thomas grabbed the back of her head and pressed a fierce kiss to her lips.His kiss carried the sting of punishment, raining down on her face and body with relentless intensity. Sharon felt tiny flashes of pain.She twisted and dodged, struggling to resist, but she was no match for him. With one hand, he pinned both of her hands easily. His body was like solid rock, immovable.Thomas had never been rough with her before. He had never forced her. Yet now, stripped of his usual restraint, he was so unfamiliar, so frightening that Sharon's heart jolted.Carmen had been right—Thomas's control over himself was almost too perfect. At times, Sharon had even thought he was normal, that his issues were minor, man

Theo's face scrunched in thought, torn between choices. After a moment of careful consideration, he said, "I like Thomas more… he's saved me so many times, and he always plays with me, and he's amazing at everything…"He rattled off Thomas's qualities as if reading from a treasured list. Then, as if remembering something, he added quickly, "But I also really like Dad. I just like Thomas a tiny bit more than Dad."He lifted a little finger to illustrate the slight difference.Carter, though Theo's biological father, had little time to spend with him. Sharon had raised Theo in the early years, and even after she left, Carter's interactions were limited. Calm and serious by nature, he had always seemed a little intimidating to Theo, far less approachable than Thomas.Sharon crouched down to Theo's eye level."Theo, Thomas is sick. He needs to get treatment, but he can't bear to leave you and Mommy. Next time Thomas wants to contact you, can you refuse him?"Theo's brows furrowed in