“You’ve probably seen the news about wealthy people who find their children,” Zion Hawthorne said, putting his interests first.
“In any of those stories, which child wasn’t overjoyed to discover they had a rich biological father?”
Mr.
and Mrs.
Hawthorne paused.
Clearly, they hadn’t considered that angle.
“When he’s older, he’ll know what the right choice is.” Zion Hawthorne spoke as if discussing business.
“Besides, I’ll be there for him as he grows up.
I won’t miss his important moments.”
“But Summer doesn’t seem like that kind of person.” Mrs.
Hawthorne’s confidence wavered as she thought of her grandson—always so well-behaved and sensible, never greedy or comparing himself to others.
“What if he’s not what you imagine him to be?”
“I will be there as he grows up,” Zion Hawthorne emphasized.
“And stop going to her about the child.” Zion Hawthorne disliked them meddling in his affairs.
“The more you get involved, the more likely Summer will resent it.
Just treat her normally, like you did before.”
In that moment, Rowan Keller finally understood why Zion Hawthorne hadn’t fought her for custody.
And she finally understood why everyone said he was calculating and ruthless.
She had to admit that some of what he’d just said was irrefutable.
As long as he visited Summer occasionally, spent important days like birthdays and holidays with him, and bought him gifts, he would still be a good father in Summer’s eyes.
As for his affair, she was the only one who got hurt.
So whether he had custody or not didn’t really matter to him.
“What if she doesn’t let us visit him?” Mrs.
Hawthorne asked, recalling Rowan Keller’s earlier attitude.
“I’m the boy’s father.
I have visitation rights.” Zion Hawthorne’s tone was casual, but it carried an unmistakable threat.
“If she refuses, I can bankrupt her.”
Rowan Keller’s lips pressed into a thin line, a growing chill spreading through her heart.
‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch.’
‘The glimmer of light you see when you’re trapped in the mire isn’t always salvation; sometimes it’s the glint of a blade coming to strike you down.’
“Understood.” Mr.
Hawthorne’s voice was grave, signaling his acceptance of the plan.
Zion Hawthorne said no more and hung up the phone.
The living room fell silent.
“If Zion hadn’t spoken up for you, there’s no way you’d be raising this child.” Mrs.
Hawthorne stood, clearly not intending to stay any longer.
“How well could a woman like you, who does nothing but scheme to marry into a wealthy family, possibly raise Summer?”
Before leaving, Mr.
Hawthorne’s gaze swept over Rowan Keller, his tone imperious.
“If anything happens to Summer on your watch, I will hold you personally responsible.”
Rowan Keller ignored the remark. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
She didn’t remember how she got upstairs.
Before she knew it, she was in Summer’s little study, staring at a photo of the three of them on his desk.
Memories of them playing together flashed through her mind.
Suddenly, a wave of guilt washed over her.
‘She hadn’t even asked Summer for his opinion.
She’d just made the decision for him all by herself.’
“Mommy.” A small, childish voice suddenly called out.
Rowan looked up at the sound and saw Summer standing in the doorway.
Before she could say a word, he trotted over on his short little legs and wrapped his small arms around her.
She acted as if nothing had happened.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to hug you.” Summer’s voice was soft, and his words were incredibly heartwarming.
“I wanted you to know that you’re the person I care about most in the whole world.”
He had seen everything that happened in the living room on the security camera feed.
He had seen his grandpa and grandma berating his mommy, and he had heard how callous his father was to her.
Only then did he realize just how much his mommy had endured for his sake.
Rowan Keller was taken aback.
‘Why would he suddenly say something like that?’
“Did someone say something to you?”
“No one said anything.” Summer shook his head.
Meeting his mommy’s worried gaze, he told her the truth.
“I just… I accidentally overheard you all talking in the living room.”