Chapter 7: Mom, Don’t Leave Me

Felix Ford quietly unzipped his backpack, reached inside, and pinched a card between his fingertips. ’He understood perfectly. That awful woman just wants to make a laughingstock out of Mom.’

’If Mom really doesn’t have enough money, I’ll just pull this card out and say she left it with me for safekeeping.’

’This was the supplementary card his dad had given him, and he’d said it had no limit. Charging eighty million should be a piece of cake.’

Lily brought tea and snacks over to Amanda Vance and Simon Sheffield, then stood aside, eagerly waiting to watch Amanda make a fool of herself.

Before long, Spencer returned. The others’ faces lit up, and they all sat up straighter. Shirley Vance, in particular, widened her eyes, determined not to miss a single detail of Amanda’s impending humiliation. ’Let’s see where she’ll hide her face after this.’

Spencer handed her card back, then passed her a form with a wide smile. "Miss Vance, if you could please sign here. We’ve expedited the rest of the paperwork for you. So, would you like to drive the car off the lot today, or would you prefer to come back in a couple of days?"

"Today will be fine."

"Very good."

Shirley Vance was stunned. ’Wha-what? Taking delivery of the car? Her card had enough money?’

The smile on her face froze. She still hadn’t snapped out of her shock by the time Amanda had finished all the paperwork.

The staff was incredibly efficient. As soon as they heard someone had bought the most expensive car in the showroom—paid in full, no less—they knew they were dealing with a VIP who couldn’t be offended. The manager immediately hurried his team to get the paperwork done. They even had the license plates installed before respectfully presenting her with the keys.

Amanda dangled the keys from her finger, giving them a little twirl right in front of Shirley. As she brushed past, she shot her a sidelong glance. "The cars here start at a million, and you only have a hundred thousand. Why don’t you go look at some other dealerships? There’s no shame in being poor, but it is important to know your place."

Shirley’s face darkened. She gritted her teeth, glaring at Amanda, too furious to utter a word. She wanted Simon Sheffield to say something on her behalf, but after witnessing Amanda’s move, he knew he had gravely underestimated her. He’d already abandoned any thought of picking a fight with her.

His family could come up with eighty million, sure, but to spend that much on a car? Even his father wouldn’t be so extravagant.

In Aethelburg, the most important skill a person could have was knowing how to read the room.

And he wasn’t an idiot. There was no way he was going to provoke Amanda Vance again.

Noticing she’d bought a sports car, his eyes lit up and he changed his approach, speaking obsequiously. "Miss Vance, isn’t it? There’s a race next week on Cinder Mountain Road. Would you be interested in checking it out? I have tickets; I could get you in."

"Not interested."

Amanda didn’t even spare him a glance as she walked away.

Shirley’s face turned livid with anger. But something still felt wrong. ’Where in the world did she get that kind of money?’

Amanda settled Felix Ford into the back seat. He buckled his seatbelt and swung his little feet, thinking back to the frustrated look on that awful woman’s face. He couldn’t help but exclaim, "Mom, you’re so cool! That was so satisfying!"

It was rare to hear such innocent words from her son, and Amanda felt a smile tug at her lips. "It was nothing. I just happen to have a little more money than Shirley Vance."

"Shirley Vance?" Felix rested his chin in his hands. "That awful woman’s name is Shirley Vance?"

"Mhm." Amanda’s gaze was distant. "She’s Sarah Sullivan and Holly Vance’s daughter."

’Just one month younger than me.’

At this thought, a flash of derision crossed Amanda’s eyes. ’They must have been in a real hurry. My mother was only one month pregnant when they couldn’t wait to get together. And now they have the gall to expect me to call them Mom and Dad? Once your skin gets that thick, you’re just completely shameless.’

Felix saw the look on her face and silently added the "awful woman" to his mental blacklist.

’Bad people only have baby bad people.’

’Just like how Mom had me, a handsome little guy.’

"Mom, let me sing you a song. Don’t let that trash ruin your mood," Felix said in his soft little voice. He didn’t want his mom to be sad. ’As for those nasty people, I have a way to help you get even.’

Hearing this, Amanda was a little surprised. This was the first time her son had ever offered to sing for her. He was trying to cheer her up.

At that thought, her expression softened. "Alright. What song is my little Jean going to sing for me?"

Felix, however, suddenly grew coy, and he seemed a little nervous. "You’ll know once I sing it, Mom!"

"Okay, go on. I’m listening."

Felix took a deep breath and gave himself a silent pep talk. Then he opened his mouth, clapping his hands for rhythm and shaking his head as he sang, "In the whole wide world, only mom is good / A child with a mom is a precious jewel / Fall into Mama’s embrace / And find a happiness so true..."

His voice was soft, full of the unique innocence of a child. He was singing a little off-key, and his clapping was out of sync with the rhythm, but he sang with such earnest concentration. It was as if he had been practicing this one song forever, just waiting for the day he could finally sing it to her.

For some reason, Amanda’s heart suddenly clenched. A heavy, stuffy feeling settled in her chest, making her uncomfortable.

Felix, completely oblivious, looked at her the moment he finished, his small hands clasped together tightly. "Mom, was my singing good?"

Amanda snapped out of her daze. Only when she spoke did she realize her voice was a bit hoarse. "It was beautiful."

Felix didn’t notice anything was amiss. The anxious look on his face vanished, replaced by excitement. He couldn’t help but chatter, "I’ve learned lots of songs! That was just the one I wanted to sing for you the most. Now that I’m done, can I sing another one for you? Please?"

"Of course."

The innocent, childish singing filled the car for the rest of the drive. Soon, they arrived at the mall. Amanda parked the car, then walked around to the other side to open his door.

Felix had just unbuckled his seatbelt and was about to climb out when he saw Amanda holding her arms open for him. "Come on," she said, quoting his song, "Fall into Mama’s embrace."

He froze for a second, then broke into a brilliant grin and threw his arms around her neck.

Amanda supported his bottom with one hand and shielded his head with the other as she lifted him out of the car. Instead of putting him down, she just kept holding him as she walked toward the mall.

Felix wrapped his legs around her waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck. He was smiling one moment, but then, suddenly, tears began to stream down his face. He hurriedly tried to wipe them away with his hand, but the more he wiped, the more they flowed. Not daring to let her notice, he bit his lip hard to keep himself from making a sound.

But Amanda was exceptionally perceptive. With him nestled so close to her ear, she’d heard the soft sounds long ago. She was puzzled, but her heart ached for him so much that she couldn’t spare the energy to overthink it. She hadn’t wanted to call him out on it, but when it seemed he wasn’t going to stop, she had no choice but to pause. She gently wiped the tears from his face. "What are you crying for? Mama’s right here."

Felix froze, his lips trembling. The tears he had fought so hard to suppress finally burst through his defenses, and he let out a great wail. It was as if all the grievances he had bottled up for so long were finally pouring out. He cried so wretchedly that even passersby couldn’t help but stare, casting suspicious glances at Amanda, wondering what on earth she had done to make a child sob so violently.

If even strangers felt their hearts ache hearing him, one could only imagine how Amanda felt.

Her heart felt as if it were caught in a fist, being squeezed and torn apart.

She carried him to a nearby bench and sat down. She cooed softly, murmuring comforting words and occasionally kissing his forehead to soothe him.

Felix cried and cried, clinging to Amanda tightly. "Mama, don’t leave me!"

’I don’t ever want to lose my mom again.’

’I don’t ever want to be called a stray who doesn’t have a mom.’

’I’m not!’

’I have a mom!’

In that instant, the fist around Amanda’s heart finally ripped it open. The pain was so raw, so visceral, it drained the color from her face.