Chapter 2

He still showed no kindness towards me, "I don't want the child. I'll pay the child support in one lump sum, thirty-six thousand dollars, which covers two thousand dollars a year until he's 18. Just don't show up in front of me again."

"I'm running out of time. Ricky is very pitiful, and he's well-behaved. Could you please take care of him?" I held back my tears and tried to talk to him calmly first.

Suddenly, Jaxon grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His hand was long and strong, causing pain in my jaw.

"Is this amusing to you? Love is either there or it isn't. Even if you have a child, I won't want you. You're just as trashy as your schemes!" His eyes were filled with disdain, as if they could pierce through me.

"I'm really dying. I have no other motive. I just hope you can love Ricky in my place. In 20 days, I truly won't appear before you again."

My explanation only made Jaxon more agitated.

His hand tightened on my chin, as he sneered at me through gritted teeth, "Do you even look like you're dying? Use your brain if you're going to lie!"

The words "use your brain" were spat out, his teeth grinding harder with anger.

Jaxon still didn't trust me.

He spoke to me again, this time with even more anger, "You haven't changed at all, still so shameless. Let me tell you, even if every woman in the world were gone, I still wouldn't want you."

I couldn't remember how many times he had said that.

I only remember the first time he said this was in our first year of high school.

On the first day, I fell for him at first sight. We happened to be in the same class, and I abandoned all feminine modesty to pursue Jaxon.

I bought him breakfast and warm milk, even though he threw it all in the trash. Yet, I kept doing it for three years without fail.

When he napped on his desk, I waved a fan at him. When he fought with bullies, I stood up for him. In the end, I got beaten up, and he called me a laughingstock.

Every day, whenever I saw him, I would say, "Jaxon, you're looking handsome again. Love you!"

He would give me a cold glance and say, "Shameless."

I would grin impishly, "Well, I guess my charm just can't help but invade your heart."

Looking back, my unrequited passion was a shackle, a burden for Jaxon.

I couldn't hold back my tears, which fell onto Jaxon's face, "I stopped liking you a long time ago. If I could, I'd wish Ricky's father wasn't you."

He laughed coldly, clearly not believing a word I said.

His eyes flickered, and the grip on my chin suddenly eased, "Why are you ruining your life?"

I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but there was a sense of disappointment in his voice, as if he was frustrated by my choices.

"You can do a DNA test or come with me to the hospital. My only purpose in finding you is to raise Ricky. That's truly all." I said.

Jaxon blocked all my contact methods, and I couldn't reach him.

Just when I thought there was no way forward, Jaxon's parents found me. They said they were willing to raise Ricky.

I thought, even if Jaxon didn't love Ricky, he would still have his grandparents' love. He would still be loved and cared for.

I spent three days carefully explaining to Ricky about his grandparents.

Ricky had asked me before why others had fathers and grandparents, but he didn't.

I always brushed it off, "When you grow up, I'll tell you."

He didn't resist, having been bullied and called a bastard many times. He also hoped for someone to protect him.

I took Ricky to Jaxon's house, an old-style villa. It had an antique charm, clearly a home typical of the middle class.

When we met Jaxon's parents, they were very kind and friendly to us. Blood ties were mysterious; although they had never met before, the way they looked at Ricky told me I had entrusted him to the right people.

They prepared a large children's room for Ricky. The curtains, bed sheets, and covers were all superhero-themed. There was even a cabinet filled with superhero model toys.

Three days ago, Jaxon's mother, Sonia Watson, asked me, "What does Ricky like?"

I said, "Superhero."

So this was what it felt like to be cared for.

Ricky was very happy. He hugged me and said, "Mom, this room is big. I want to stay here with you."

I forced a smile and patted his head. I didn't dare tell him I wouldn't have the chance.

The house was large, and Ricky got lost on his way to the bathroom.

Jaxon's parents and I searched for him. We finally found him in the storage room.

He was holding a yellowed photo frame, curiously asking me, "Mom, why do these two people look exactly the same?"