Chapter 30
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The house staff had already prepared a meal and waited quietly nearby. Melissa wiped Curtis’s tears and coaxed him gently. Then picking up a bowl, she began feeding him, spoonful by spoonful
Curtis, hungry after an entire day of refusing food obediently opened his mouth, his eyes locked on his mother.
Bradley, observing from the doorway, let out a quiet sigh of relief and turned to leave.
When Curtis was finally full, he curled up in Melissa’s arms, clutching her shirt as if afraid she’d vanish again. Melissa’s heart ached—she knew she had to leave soon, as per her agreement with Bradley.
But before she left, she needed to prepare Curtis for what was coming. Pressing a soft kiss to his forchrad, she whispered, “Sweetheart, Mommy needs to talk to you about something”
Curtis’s grip tightened immediately. “Mommy..
Melissa gazed at him lovingly. “You’re the most important person in Mommy’s world. I’d do anything for you. But right now, Mommy needs to find a job. Once I do, I’ll come back and take you to live with me. Will you be good and wait for me here!
Curtis froze, his little body going stiff. He understood immediately–she was leaving. Tears welled up in his big eyes, and he clung to her even tighter. “III go with your Like before! I’ll be really good. I promise I won’t bother you u all!”
Melissä smiled gently, though her heart broke inside, and shook her head. “Curtis, it’s different here. I can’t take you to work. And soon, you’ll be starting kindergarten. You’ll go to school, and Mommy will go to work. After work, I’ll pick you up. Just like before. Does that sound good?”
Curtis buried his face against her chest, his voice muffled and trembling. “I don’t want to leave you.”
Melissa stroked his hair, fighting the hump in her throat. “I know, haby. I’m so sorry. But right now, Mammy dnesn’t have enough money to take care of you the way you deserve. I promise, once I’ve earned enough, we’ll never be apart again.”
Curtis Jooked up at her, his small voice breaking. T’ll eat less. I won’t ask for toys, I won’t even go to school. I won’t cost you anything, Mommy. Just rake me with you…I don’t want to stay here.”
His words were a dagger to her heart, but they also fueled her determination, Bradley was right–without money, she couldn’t protect Curtis the way she needed to. That had to change
Melissa cupped his chubby linde cheeks with a gentle smile, “You know, it’s not so bad here. Daddy loves you, even if he doesn’t always show it. And if he ever does something wrong, you can teach him how to be better. Who knows? Maybe one day, he’ll be just as amazing as your
Cunts frowned, clearly unconvinced. “But he’s mean
Melissa chuckled softly. “That’s why you need to love him a little more. People who are surrounded by love eventually learn to be kind. You can sbow him how”
Melisa didn’t like Bradley, but she wanted Curtis to grow up kusowing how to love, even the people who weren’t perfect. Especially his father
Curtis hesitated before letting out a reluctant sigh. “Okay……
Melissa rook his tiny hands in hers, her voice steady. “So, do we have a deal? You’ll stay here with Daddy, be good, and wait for me to come back Can you do that for me?”
Curtis was quiet for a long moment, his little face full of worry, but he finally nokled.
Relief washed over Melissa. They made a promise–daily phone calls, no skipping meals, and no tantrums. With a heavy heart, she kissed him goodbye and left the house.
Melissa knew her next priority: finding a job that paid five thousand dollars a month. She was confident–after all, the average salary for a fashion designer in a city like Silou was over six thousand. Five thousand should be easy.
But something strange was happening. None of the resumes she’d sent out had gotten responses. Not a single callback.
Could every job I applied for really be taken? Or is there something else going on? she thought, suspicion creeping in
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