Chapter 20
She opened her mouth, smiling bitterly as she asked:
“Pushing me down the stairs, falsely accusing me of giving you mango… weren’t these things you did yourselves?
‘Not wanting me as your mother, only wanting Natalie as your mother–weren’t these words you spoke yourselves?”
‘I believe that while I may not have been a perfect mother, I always did my best to care for you, to love you.”
‘But I don’t understand how it ended up like this.”
The children blushed with shame, unable to speak, but Ethan still refused to give up, pleading again:
‘Mommy, we were thoughtless before… I know I was wrong now. Please, forgive us?”
Before Cassidy could respond, Lily suddenly spoke up timidly:
‘Miss Cassidy…” Her small hand tightly gripped Cassidy’s shirt, her beautiful eyes filled with tears. “Are you leaving
1s?”
Wesley bent down to pick up his niece, softly comforting her: “Lily, don’t be afraid. Miss Cassidy won’t abandon you… Whatever she chooses, we must respect her decision.”
‘And even if she’s not here, she’ll still visit you often.”
Watching this scene, Gabriel felt a nameless rage ignite in his chest.
Who was this stranger to use such intimate terms?
What right did he have to stand beside Cassidy with a child in his arms, as if they were a family?
Cassidy,” he stepped forward, his voice deep. “Stop being childish. The children need you.”
As their mother, would you rather abandon your own flesh and blood to raise someone else’s child?”
I’m being childish… they need me?” Cassidy stood up, her eyes flashing with a coldness Gabriel had never seen.
Did they need me when they pushed me down the stairs?”
Did they need me when they told everyone they hated me?”
Did they need me when they called Natalie ‘Mommy“?”
Each question was like a slap, leaving Gabriel speechless.
Chapter 20
The children cried harder, clutching Cassidy’s clothes desperately.
“We were wrong… Mommy…” Emma sobbed uncontrollably. “We’ll only love you from now o you again.”
Cassidy’s eyes reddened, but her resolve never wavered.
Wesley silently handed her a tissue–just a small gesture that completely infuriated Cabral
“Who do you think you are?” he demanded coldly. “What right do you have to interfere in our family matter?
Wesley calmly adjusted his glasses, his voice steady: “I’m Cassidy’s friend. As for righ
He glanced at the tear–streaked children. “I believe those who have hurt her have no right to question myle in her
life.”
Gabriel’s fists clenched until his knuckles cracked.
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Lily quietly said: “Miss Cassidy, we haven’t finished our bowls pe
At these words, Cassidy finally made up her mind, taking a deep breath before turning to Gabriel
“Please take the children and leave… I’ll say it once more: there’s nothing left between us.”
“Mommy!” Both children screamed simultaneously, clinging desperately to her legs. “Please, don’t abandon u
The scene descended into chaos.
The studio owner hesitated about calling the police, while other customers began filming with their phones.
Cassidy stood at the center of the storm, her face pale as paper.
Gabriel, watching her trembling hands, suddenly realized he had made a fatal mistake–he thought bringing the children would move her, but had forgotten to consider her feelings.
Those wounds couldn’t be erased with a simple apology, like broken porcelain that would always show cracks no matter how carefully repaired.
‘Ethan, Emma…” he struggled to speak. “Let’s go for now.”
“No!” Ethan cried stubbornly, desperately clutching Cassidy’s clothes.
“We want Mommy! You promised we’d bring Mommy home today! You promised!”
Cassidy closed her eyes, tears silently falling.
Wesley quietly offered Lily’s small hand, and the little girl immediately grasped Cassidy’s fingers tightly, as if to give her strength.
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Chapter 20
“Gabriel,” Cassidy spoke with resolve, her voice cold as ice, without a trace of hesitation.
“Take them away. I’ve already said I can’t forgive what you all did before.”
“If you’re here to discuss child support, I can transfer money without hesitation.”
‘As for anything else, don’t bring it up again. If you come back, I won’t hesitate to call the police.”
These words struck like a hammer, completely shattering Gabriel’s confidence.
He had believed Cassidy would relent, would return with him for the children’s sake.
But he never imagined her determination to leave would be so firm.
He bent down to forcibly lift both children, ignoring their struggles and cries, striding toward the door.
Before pushing it open to leave, he looked back one last time-
Cassidy was crouching to comfort Lily, with Wesley standing beside them.
The three figures looked so intimate, so happy together.
