Chapter 12 · A Mother's Calculated Ruin

Chapter 12

He was still awake.I knocked on the door."Xavier, get some rest. The day after tomorrow is your big day," I said.There was a brief silence, then his voice came through the door."Got it, Mom. Goodnight," he said.I lingered at the door for a couple more seconds.For three years, he'd called me "Aunt Rebecca." It was only in the last two weeks that he started calling me "Mom."But every time he said "Mom," his voice was always so flat, so steady, like a little actor reciting lines he'd memorized.The day after tomorrow.Everything came down to the day after tomorrow.I was coming to get Zoe.October 16th. Xavier's tenth birthday.At ten in the morning, I arrived at the Seaview Grand Hotel.The banquet hall was already fully decorated. Golden and white balloon arches stretched from the entrance all the way to the main stage.More than two hundred chairs were arranged in perfect rows, and every table was topped with elegant flowers and personalized place settings.The big screen in the center was playing a highlight reel: a slideshow of Xavier's photos from ages seven to ten, with cheerful music playing in the background.In every photo, he was beaming, dressed smartly, always surrounded by people.For the past three years, he'd lived like royalty.But the girl he took the place of was left in the countryside, unable to even get a proper meal.I double-checked every detail, making sure the big screen and sound system were working perfectly, and that the banquet manager remembered my signal.Then I headed back to a lounge backstage and changed into the outfit I'd picked out for today.It was a red dress.Maria said red was too flashy.I told her, "That's exactly what I want today. I'll let everyone notice me."At noon, guests started arriving one after another.Jacob was dressed in a sharp suit, with a tie Xavier had picked out for him. He stood at the entrance, shaking hands and chatting with every guest, his smile was friendly and easygoing.Lucy sat in the center of the front row, leaning on her cane. She wore a deep red dress, her hair styled with meticulous care, looking every bit like she was attending her own grandson's birthday party.Well, Xavier really was her grandson.Xavier, dressed in the new outfit I'd bought him, stood beside Jacob, greeting the adults with perfect manners. His smile was just right, and he spoke with confidence, never too shy or too bold.He was so well-mannered, almost flawless, more like a little adult than a ten-year-old kid.The guests included Jacob's old army buddies, business partners, parents from Xavier's school, and a few local media outlets.Tyler was there too. He sat in the second row by the aisle, his face complicated. He glanced at me, then quickly looked away.Maria was sitting in the third row by the aisle, just like we planned. She wore sunglasses, with a big handbag in front of her.Philip showed up with Doris. He sat right next to Jacob, looking like he was basking in the glory. Doris sat beside him, head down, glued to her phone, her shoulders drawn in tight.At half past twelve, the party officially kicked off.Jacob stepped up to the stage to give his speech."Friends and family, thank you all for coming to celebrate Xavier's tenth birthday today. As you all know, Xavier's father, Duncan Scott, was my closest comrade."Six years ago, he gave his life to save me during a mission. His mother, Elsa Harvey, passed away three years ago in a car accident," Jacob said.His voice trembled a little, and he lowered the microphone slightly.Jacob said, "Xavier lost both his parents, with no one left to rely on. As his father's comrade, and someone who owes his father a life debt, I welcomed him into my family."He turned to Xavier and reached out his hand.Xavier walked up to the stage and took his hand.Jacob said, "For the past three years, my wife Rebecca has treated Xavier like her own son, and my mother has loved him as if he were her own grandson."Today, Xavier turns ten, and I want to say something to him, right here in front of everyone."He got down to Xavier's level, looking him right in the eye."Xavier, no matter what comes your way, you'll always have a place here. This is your home," Jacob said.The crowd erupted in thunderous applause.Lucy dabbed at her eyes.Philip clapped enthusiastically, saying under his breath, "Jacob's a stand-up guy."Some of the old veterans had eyes wet with emotion, and one even stood up to give a military salute."Jacob, you did great! If Duncan's watching from above, he can finally rest easy," someone called out.I stood at the edge of the front row, watching the heartwarming scene of the "father and son" embracing on stage, with a carefully composed smile on my face.Then came the cake-cutting.A ten-tiered birthday cake was rolled in, every candle blazing.Xavier squeezed his eyes shut, made a wish, and blew out every candle in a single breath.The whole room burst into cheers and applause.Jacob picked up the microphone."Alright, now it's time for Xavier's highlight reel. Let's see how much he's grown these past three years," he said.He signaled for the staff to start the video on the big screen.

Chapter 12