Chapter 2
I can't afford to lose this job; the salary is too good.
Thomas glanced at my hand on his shirt, patted it, and smiled gently.
"Alright, I won't fire you.
"But hey, as a nutritionist, remember to care for your own health too."
And just like that, I stayed with the Howards.
Thomas and I grew closer, and feelings blossomed.
He had deep-set eyes and a strong jawline. Though in his thirties, he looked young.
I didn't mind he was married before or had two kids.
I had no family, so having two kids felt like a blessing.
I believed I could love his kids as my own and be a great stepmom.
I kept that promise for three years after marrying Thomas.
I handled all the kids myself.
When Zoey had a fever, I stayed by her in the hospital all night without sleeping.
I helped Max with his art project for ten days.
I handled everything, from washing hair and trimming nails to school pickups and homework help.
I only hit Max when he burned a girl's hair with a lighter in class.
When I entered the office, the girl was sobbing with her face in her hands.
The ends of her two braids were burned off.
The girl's parents demanded Max apologize.
He crossed his arms, looking cocky and unbothered.
He said, "My dad is CEO of Howard Group. We're rich.
"Name your price; it's just a few strands of hair."
The girl's furious parent raised a hand to slap him.
Max shoved his hands in his pockets, looking nonchalant.
He scoffed, "Hit me. My dad will get your daughter kicked out of school with no place to go.
"You don't know my dad. You can't push me."
The girl seemed from a normal family, not one to challenge the Howards.
Her parent's hand froze, then they couldn't bring themselves to slap him.
I walked up to Max and smacked him across the face.
Max was stunned, unable to process what happened.
I said coldly, "Apologize."
"No way!" Max yelled.
He clutched his face, glaring at me with bulging eyes.
I grabbed his ear and dragged him to the girl. "Apologize!"
He refused to apologize.
I slapped him again.
Max, hurt and sniffling, whispered "Sorry."
I bowed deeply to the girl's parents, gave the compensation, and ended the mess.
On the way home, Max sat silently, fuming.
I kept my tone soft and spoke to him calmly.
"Max, bullying classmates is wrong.
"Admit mistakes and fix them. Never use our family name to insult others.
"If you bully others, someone will bully you."
When we arrived, Max slammed the car door and shouted at me.
He yelled, "Who asked you to butt in?
"You're not my real mom, just the woman Dad married to take care of us. Why do you get to boss me?
"If my real mom were here, she'd have my back and never let anyone push me around."
I stood frozen, speechless for what felt like forever.
Once home, Max immediately told Thomas on me.
Thomas didn't side with him. He scolded Max.
That made Max hate me more.
Despite my past kindness, he only remembered that I hit him.
As it happened, Joya chose that very year to return.
After spending her divorce money, she schemed to win Thomas back.
Thomas told her he was already married.
Joya wanted to see the kids.
Thomas couldn't really say no to her.
No matter what, Joya was still their real mom.
She visited the villa and spoiled the kids with candy.
Zoey's cavities made sweets hurt her teeth.
I told Zoey to skip the candy; it'll hurt her teeth.
She pouted, tears in her eyes, and turned to Joya, "Mommy, that lady won't give me any candy."
Joya slipped candy into Zoey's mouth, daring me to stop her.
She said, "That's my sweet Zoey. Eat as much as you want, Mommy's here."
"Yay!" Zoey cheered.