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Chapter 6
Johnson suddenly laughed, cold and sharp.
“What about the kid?”
“You’re just gonna toss him aside too?”
The kid?
Oh right, we have a child.
I reached instinctively for the scar on the back of my hand.
It was from the first time I was allowed to see Jace–two years ago.
It had been raining for weeks in New York City, gray and heavy.
But that day, the sun came out.
The sky was blue, and the breeze felt like a promise.
Just like my heart that morning–full of hope.
I got to the old family house first thing in the morning.
Waited three whole hours before someone finally opened the door.
The housekeeper didn’t even try to hide her disdain.
But I didn’t care.
All I could think about was seeing my son.
The son I carried, fought for, and lost to their twisted custody games.
In the grand hallway, I waited again.
Until the clock struck noon–when Johnson’s mother finally appeared…
Holding three–year–old Jace.
The second I saw his little face, my eyes burned with tears.
That was my baby.
The one I nearly died giving birth to.
The one they ripped from me the moment he was born.
Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade!
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Johnson’s mom didn’t waste time twisting the knife.
“If Sebastian hadn’t insisted. I wouldn’t let someone like you cheap and unlucky–anywhere near my grandson.”
“Don’t forget, Jace is a Johnson. You get one look.”
“That’s a gift. Keep your filthy hands off him. Got it?”
I nodded.
Swallowed it all for the chance to see my son.
She finally let him down.
It was lunchtime. The nanny brought his food.
I rushed to take the plate, looked up at her–begging silently to feed him myself.
Her face darkened, but she didn’t stop me.
I was shaking with emotion. I knelt beside him.
But he didn’t recognize me.
Didn’t know who I was.
He frowned, lips trembled, then started sobbing.
Panicked, I reached out to comfort him-
He pushed the plate, spilling everything.
The spoon hit the floor, shattered.
Ceramic shards cut into my hand.
Left a scar I still carry.
I sighed, reached into my bag.
Pulled out a small Tiffany bracelet–Baby’s First.
I bought it when he was one month old.
Paid for with tips from my part–time job back in college.
Not a cent of Johnson’s family money.
“I bought this bracelet five years ago for Jace,” I said quietly.
“I always wanted to give it to him, but I figured your mom would scoff at it.”
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Chapter 6
“Can you give it to him for me?”
“He can keep it or toss it–I just wanted to try.”
I held it out.
Johnson didn’t take it.
His voice was hoarse.
“I don’t have time for this. If you want to give it to him, give it yourself. He’s your son too.”
1 placed it gently on the coffee table.
Shook my head.
“Forget it.”
“Jace doesn’t like me. Just like you.”
Johnson didn’t say a word.
Just stared at me with something I didn’t want to decipher.
The silence filled the room.
Outside, New York buzzed with life.
Inside, two people sat in quiet resentment–like always.
Seven years of pretending to be close.
But always distant. Always guarded.
“Alright,” I finally said.
“You can go now. I’m done.”
“I’m not fighting for custody.”
“You can take Jace overseas or disappear–I won’t stop you.”
“But don’t even think about threatening of trapping me again.”
I stood up and gently brushed my fingers against his cheek.
“After seven years of being Mrs. Johnson…”
“I’ve got leverage too.”
“You really don’t want to start a war with me.”
