Chapter 28
Bradley walked further into the room, his tone hardening. If you starve yourself to death, she’ll be the one who cries the hardest.”
Curtis finally spoke, his voice flat, filled with a despair no three–year–old should carry. “She doesn’t want me anymore. Even if I die, she won’t care.
Bradley’s expression darkened, and he fired back, “If you think she doesn’t care, then why are you punishing yourself for her?”
Tears filled Curtis’s eyes until they spilled over. His small voice cracked as he screamed, Because I hate you! Both of you! But especially you! If you hadn’t come into our lives. Mom and I would still be happy! It’s your fault! You made her leave me! I hate this house, and I hate your”
Bradley’s hand shot up, shaking with rage. It hovered in the air, threatening to strike. This was the child he had searched for tirelessly for three years, enduring every obstacle to bring him home. And now? He treats me like this? Hate me that much?
Curtis stared at him, defiant, unafraid. “Go ahead! Hit me Then I can finally ask my real mom why she gave birth to me in the first place!”
At the mention of Elle Moore. Bradley’s hand dropped, trembling. His voice softened slightly, though the tension in the room remained sulforating “Go eat”
Curtis’s little face twisted with stubborn anger, his voice rising. “No! I’m not eating! I don’t want anything from you! Get out! I don’t want to see you!”
Bradley’s patience, already worn thin, snapped. Without another word, he spun on his heel and slammed the door shut behind him.
Melissa was preparing for her tenth attempt to climb the estate’s wall when, to her surprise, the gate suddenly creaked open. She froze mid–run, staring as Bradley emerged, his presence cold and intimidating
Caught off guard, Melissa quickly smoothed her clothes, her face burning with embarrassment. “1… I just wanted to see Curtis, she stammered.
Stradley’s expression remained icy, his voice like steel. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll call the police. Do you want him to watch you get dragged away in
bandcuffs!”
Melissa’s frustration bubbled over as she stepped closer. “I just want to check on him! He’s three years old, Bradley, Do you realize how much this could affect him! He’s just a liule boy–everything he goes through now could leave scars that last a lifetime!“
Bradley let out a dry, humorless laugh, Scars? You think this is trauma! He was born into tragedy. His mother died the day he came into this world. If he could survive that, he’ll survive this And maybe a little hardship will toughen him up.”
Melissa’s chest tightened “Toughen him up? You think breaking his spirit will help him! You’re pushing bim to grow up too fast. Why does he have to end up like you–cold, distant, and unfeeling
“If his wealth and privilege come at the cost of his happiness, then I’d rather take him away! I may not be able to give him the life you can, but I can give him love. I can make sure his days are filled with laughter and warmth!”
Bradley’s lips twisted into a bitter smirk. “Melissa, do you honestly think happiness is free! Let me give you a reality check–money is what keeps the world turning. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even have a place to live right now. Do you really think you can raise Curtis on your own?
“Right now, he clings to you because he doesn’t understand the value of money. But one day, he’ll grow up. And when he does, do you think he’ll thank you for your so–called love, or will he hate you for stealing the life he could have had
Melissa faltered, her words caught in her throat
Of course, she knew. Nothing in this world came for free. Everything had a cost Right now, her entire net worth barely scaped seventy bucks. Bradley wasn’t wrong–if he hadn’t taken her in, she wouldn’t even have a roof over her head, let alone a bed to sleep in.
Bradley stepped closer, his gaze piercing. Stop pretending your love‘ is selfless. It’s nothing but selfishness, a desperate need to hold on to him. Let me tell you something, Melissa–poor people cling to emotions because it’s the only using they have.
“If I let Curtis go with you, when he’s hungry, when he has no toys, when he doesn’t even have a proper bed, how long do you think your ‘love‘ will sustain him? When he grows up, do you think he’ll appreciate your sacrifice! Or will he resent you for robbing him of the life he was meant to
Melissa shivered as his words struck like arrows, sharp and unrelenting. She hated how cold and brutal his logic was–and yet, it cut straight to the truth.
She had nothing to offer Cuntis except her love, and in this world, love wasn’t always enough,
