Chapter 103: A Stain You Can Never Erase 

The teacher who brought Alex said to Evelyn,“Alex has been enrolled at Zonta, and he’s been doing very well in his psychological therapy sessions. I asked if he wanted to participate in outdoor activities, and he agreed. Unexpectedly, Alex is quite attached to you, Ms. Hayes.” Lily came over and greeted Alex. Whenever she saw Alex, she became incredibly chatty, vividly describing her life to him. 

Alex heard from Lily that she and Evelyn were going to the annual parent–child activity again, This time was different; Lily’s parents were divorced, and only her mother would be attending, 

told Alex she’d invited her uncle, who was a great cook, to the activity. She was worried, though, that he wouldn’t understand the game rules. 

Alex took Lily’s hand. He hoped he wasn’t too late; he would be the brains of the operation! 

The teacher, seeing Alex and Lily holding hands, was quite surprised. Alex usually disliked physical contact; even his therapist, who interacted with him the most, would be immediately avoided if they tried to touch him. 

The teacher smiled.“Ms. Hayes, I’ll leave Alex in your care. I hope he enjoys a pleasant afternoon outdoors.” 

Elsewhere, Tommy shook his head, looking bewildered.“I don’t know who his mommy is Seeing Alex and Lily holding hands, following Evelyn, it looked like they were a family. Tommy felt incredibly uncomfortable; it was like Alex had taken his place. 

Savannah, lounging with her legs crossed, ate potato chips.“It must be that Alex’s mother is unacceptable, so Mr. Reed hides her identity from everyone.” 

She looked at Tommy.“It’s a good thing he’s mute. If he were a normal child, he’d threaten your position in the Reed family!” 

Tommy shuddered. No one had ever told him that Alex was a threat. 

“I’m Grandma’s precious! The little prince of the Reed family! Alex is just a mute!” Because Alex was mute, Tommy didn’t bother playing with him. Their relationship was lukewarm, but he resented that Lily played with Alex. 

A smug smirk played on Savannah’s lips. 

“Tommy, you need to know something. Evelyn doesn’t want you anymore. Have you considered that your father might find a stepmother for you, and she might have another child with your father? Then you wouldn’t be Grandma’s most precious grandson! You wouldn’t be the only little prince of the Reed family!” 

Tommy shook his head in disbelief. 

“No!” 

Savannah continued, “Your mother grew up in the countryside and only returned to the Hayes family at 18. Your father has plenty of options – wealthy, high–class women who would jump at the chance to be your stepmother. Tommy, your mother is a stain you can never erase.” 

Tears welled up in Tommy’s eyes. 

“What should I do?” Suddenly, he blurted out, “I’ll tell Dad I don’t want a stepmother!” 

“Hey!” Savannah immediately stopped him.“I’m not like those wealthy women. If I become you! 

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mother, you’ll be my only child. Tommy, I’ll treat you like a son, like a brother! You should tell your dad…” 

Tommy threw himself into Savannah’s arms.“Sav, you have to be my new mommy!” Savannah smiled triumphantly. She gently patted Tommy’s back.“If I were your mother, I’d never let Alex threaten your position!” 

She sighed. “Unfortunately, Eric keeps Alex in the Reed family. As long as he’s there, you won’t be the only precious grandson.” 

Tommy remembered that his grandfather and great–grandfather paid more attention to Alex. His private tutoring sessions were often forbidden from including Lily, but Grandma always allowed Alex to attend. Sharing classes with a mute was insulting! 

Tommy grew angrier, his fists clenching.“I hate Alex!” 

After lunch, the teachers assigned new tasks. The fathers stayed to set up tents, while the mothers took the children to the small forest to find various mushrooms and treasure coins (planted beforehand, of course). The children had to memorize mushroom types at the starting point, earning points for each type found. They’d also find coins hidden by the teachers, redeemable for prizes. 

Lily and the other children stood before a whiteboard, listing mushroom names and appearances. “Chanterelles, dry–fried mushrooms, porcini mushrooms…” 

Lily closed her eyes, trying to recall.“Chicken…what was it? Chicken and mushroom stew is delicious!” Lost in thoughts of the stew, she’d forgotten the mushroom 

“Alex, how many mushroom names did 

you 

remember?” 

Lily saw Alex hold up two fingers to indicate a number. She gasped. 

“Sixty–four? You memorized them all?!” 

Alex nodded. 

set up 

names. 

at the camp to Lily told Evelyn, “Mommy, you go find mushrooms with Alex. Uncle and I will stay 

to memorizing mushrooms. the tents.” She preferred physical work Evelyn didn’t care how many mushrooms they found, but respecting Lily’s arrangement, she agreed. She held out her hand to Alex.“Alex, will you go on an adventure with me?” Alex bit his lower lip, like a little rabbit, and nodded. He placed his small hand in Evelyn’s. It felt 

warm. 

Meanwhile, Savannah took Tommy towards the forest. 

Caleb saw Evelyn holding Alex’s hand as they set off with a basket; his heart sank. The sight of them together was jarring. 

Alex had excellent eyesight; he quickly found several mushrooms and coins. Tommy, holding a chanterelle, said to Alex, “I found this! Lily loves chanterelles. If you pick more for her, she’ll be happy.” 

Alex went towards the spot Tommy indicated. Tommy watched his back, his eyes dark and cold. Alex found the slope with many chanterelles Tommy had mentioned and started to walk down 

< Chapter 103 A Stain You Can Never E 

carefully. 

“Alex.” Evelyn approached. “That’s too dangerous, come up here.” 

Just as Alex was about to kneel down to pick a chanterelle, he lost his balance! Evelyn rushed ove and caught him. As she regained her footing, someone pushed her from behind. Spinnin around as she fell, she saw Savannah’s malicious smirk. The smile said it all:“Die!” St desperately grabbed Savannah’s scarf.