All Chapters of No Longer Theirs: The One They Can't Replace: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

The scene outside the kindergarten's gates resembled a car show, with parents streaming into the campus, each one dressed to the nines and meticulously styled. They radiated an air of fierce competition.As Winter stepped through the kindergarten's gates, passing parents cast sidelong glances her way, their eyes tinged with disdain. Amid the crowd of impeccably dressed parents, she stood out like a sore thumb in a plain tracksuit.No matter how striking her features were, in the eyes of these status-obsessed, snobbish parents, her appearance was still shabby."Who's that supposed to be? A parent? She looks downright frumpy. She might as well have shown up in nothing at all!""A parent? I doubt it. She's probably the kindergarten staff.""Even the teachers here wear logo-free designer brands. I bet she's just a janitor."Suddenly, a parent gasped. "Wait, isn't that the woman from the internet? The one rumored to be Mr. Stroud's wife?""It really is her! What's she doing here? Cou

"Miss, you must be busy. I-I'll head back to the classroom," Alistair said, rubbing his eyes as he stood up.Just as he turned to leave, Winter grabbed his tear-dampened hand, her eyes crinkling as she smiled warmly. "Alistair, if you're okay with it, how about I be your guardian for the day and participate in the parent-child event with you?"This was the first major event since the semester started, and she didn't want the poor boy to carry any more regrets in life."Miss… w-won't it be too much trouble for you?" Alistair's eyes widened with surprise, sparkling like stars.Winter was reminded of how Terence used to look at her with those same clear, eager eyes. He'd clung to her legs, begging for hugs and kisses.But ever since Jessica wormed her way deeper into her and Joshua's marriage, constantly finding new ways to win Terence over, he had grown tired of Winter and no longer wanted to be close to her.She hadn't seen this look and smile from Terence in a long time."Not at

Everyone's eyes turned toward the voice, including the Stroud "family" of three and Jasmine. The next moment, they stiffened.Winter appeared in a sky-blue tracksuit with her hair tied back in a neat ponytail. She held the hand of another boy as she walked up to the teacher with poise and said, "Hi, my… little partner and I would like to sign up for the competition.""What's your name, young man?" the teacher asked with a smile.Alistair eagerly raised his hand. "A-Alistair Fulton!""And you, ma'am? Your name, please?"Winter said calmly, "Winter Everhart.""Joshua, what's the deal with this? Winter's gone too far, hasn't she?" Jasmine whispered venomously behind Joshua. "She's ignoring her own son to play mom to some other kid, and right in front of you and Terry, too! Think of the trauma this must be causing Terry! Is she even fit to be the mother of the Stroud family's heir?"Now look at Jessica—she treats Terry like her own and shows him such care and devotion. You'd think s

The next moment, Terence saw Winter pull a chocolate bar from her pocket. She tore open the wrapper, broke off a piece, and fed it to Alistair with a smile before taking a piece for herself.They exchanged a grin, looking every bit like mother and son.Under the table, Terence's hands balled into fists. He suddenly remembered many sunny afternoons in the garden, where he'd sat beside Winter on the swing. He fiddled with the toys she'd made for him while eating the grapes she peeled and fed him.Those moments had been happy, hadn't they?But as he grew older, he stopped wanting to be so close to her. After all, she was boring and kept nagging him.Jessica, on the other hand, played mobile games with him, let him eat things Winter forbade, and always went along with whatever he wanted. What kid wouldn't love that kind of carefree, unrestricted life?Winter seemed to sense his feelings, and gradually, even when they were both at home, they barely spoke. The swing in the garden had g

Deep down, Jessica felt the same way. In the past, Winter was like a punching bag—soft and yielding. No matter how many times Jessica trampled on her, she endured it all, so tolerant of all the bullying just so she could cling to her place in the Stroud family and by Joshua's side.But recently, something had changed. Whether she'd been provoked or had received guidance from someone, Winter was no longer the same. Not only had she started wearing makeup and dressing up, but she'd even dared to embarrass Jessica in front of Joshua!And, oddly enough, it seemed to be working.Joshua had barely spared Winter a glance before. Now, though, he seemed to be engaging with her more.Jessica knew she couldn't underestimate Winter anymore."Jasmine, I know you're looking out for me, and I'm grateful. But I trust that Josh has me in his heart. After all these years, I believe he won't be swayed so easily," she said, maintaining her serene facade. "Today, I'll just do my best. If Winter wins,