Ryan’s eyes were getting redder. I couldn’t help but squat down and look at him. “Is it because your dad is runningte? Don’t worry, Auntie will wait with you!”


    He sniffed a bit, appearing nervous. His gaze, avoiding mine, seemed elusive. I wondered if he remembered me. After all, we had met in the mall that day, and he seemed upset when he was stopped from calling Robert dad, so he should have some recollection.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    So, I tentatively asked, “Ryan, what’s yourst name?”


    He looked at me warily, his big eyes blinking, as if contemting whether to answer my question.


    Finally, on guard, he said, “I don’t know you!”


    I quickly exined with a friendly tone, “I just want to talk to your teacher. In case your dad iste, the teacher can wait with you.”


    He eyed me suspiciously, took a long time to think, and reluctantly said, “I’m Ryan Brown!”


    I suppressed myself and ruffled his little head, praising him, “You’re so good! I’ll go talk to the teacher now. Don’t be afraid!”


    Honestly, I harbored no ill feelings toward the child. After all, he was just a kid and hadn’t done anything wrong.


    I reached out and took the child’s small hand. Perhaps seeing me as gentle, his guard lowered significantly, and he obediently let me lead him. At this moment, my heart felt particrly conflicted.


    After the first-grade children had left, I informed his teacher, who then received a phone call. She gestured to me, answered it with a smile, and then hung up. “Thank you so much! Ryan’s dad got stuck in traffic. He’ll be a bitte. I appreciate your help!”


    I waved it off and reassured Ryan, “You stay here with the teacher. Your dad will be here soon!”


    Blinking his big eyes, he still looked at me with a probing gaze, his expression conflicted.


    “Say thank you to Mrs. Brown!” the teacher reminded him.


    He then quietly said, “Thank you, Mrs. Brown!”


    At that moment, the second-grade ss finished, lined up, and walked out. I shifted my gaze, looking for Oliver. Soon enough, Oliver ran over joyfully and hugged my legs.


    When he saw Ryan on the side, his eyes paused for a moment-just three seconds. He withdrew his gaze and said to me, “Mom, let’s go home!”


    I nodded happily and waved to Ryan, “Ryan, see you!”


    He hid behind the teacher and then waved to me.


    After Oliver and I got into my car, I casually asked him, “Don’t you know Ryan? Why didn’t you say hello?”


    Unexpectedly, Oliver replied quickly, “I don’t like him. I don’t want to say hello to him!”


    This time, I was taken aback, then followed up, “Why?”


    “Grandma always says he’s a good boy and then criticizes me. I don’t know what I did wrong.” Oliverined, his voice full of discontent. “Even when I’m not wrong, Grandma scolds me. She says I’m dumb and that I have a dull mind. Instead, she keeps praising him for being smart!”


    I felt anger rising, but I maintained an amused expression and rubbed Oliver’s head. “You’re not dumb! My boy is very clever.”


    I didn’t want my child to harbor hatred.


    “But grandma always scolds me!” Oliver mimicked.


    “What does she scold you for?”


    “She says ‘Just like your dying mother’! And she pokes my head like this…” Oliver poked his own head, imitating.


    I chuckled, pretending to be indifferent but feeling a chill. “Don’t worry! Mom won’t die so easily!” I reassured him, and since he was in a talkative mood, I asked, “When I was sick, did Sherry scare you too?”


    Sure enough, Oliver immediately nodded. “Yes, she said if you kept sleeping like that, you’d be a zombie and told us not to get close. Zombies would eat us.”


    “Do you believe that, sweetheart?” I asked softly.


    “I don’t believe it. Mom wouldn’t. Sherry is bad. She pinched Mom, I saw it!” Oliver imitated, his little face serious.


    I hadn’t expected Oliver to be so clever, burying all these things deep in his heart. Fortunately, I woke up in time and realized this. Oliver has be much more cheerful now.


    “Don’t be afraid anymore. Mom is fine now! Don’t be afraid of them!” I encouraged him. “Stay away from people you don’t like, including your grandma!”


    I had to say this because Robert’s family was truly terrible, and I couldn’t let the children be influenced by them.


    Oliver looked at me in confusion and asked again, “Mom, why does Grandma always praise Ryan?”