Chapter 4

Edith instinctively sped up, just in time to catch two kids each clutching a piece of a Transformers toy, stubbornly refusing to let go as they pushed and shoved each other back and forth.

"Give it back! It's mine!" Leo shouted, his eyes welling up with tears and his face set with stubborn determination. His fingers were clenched so tightly that they turned pale, but he still wouldn't let go.

Max, acting spoiled and stubborn, tugged at the toy. "No way! I want it. I love this toy."

Then Max got rough, shoving Leo hard to the ground. He finally looked at the toy he'd snatched, feeling totally satisfied.

"Leo!" Edith rushed over and gently helped Leo up, her heart aching for him.

As soon as Leo saw Edith, the tears he'd been holding back finally spilled over. He choked out, "Mom, he took my toy. I can give him anything else, but not this one."

When Edith saw that dusty old Transformers toy, her heart ached for Leo. She felt sorry for him.

Jason had handed this toy to Leo carelessly one night when he was drunk, but Leo treated it like a treasure, barely even daring to take it out.

But now, Max had taken it away from him.

Selina walked over, crouched down, and hugged Max, gently scolding him. "Ma, what have I taught you? If you want something, I can buy it for you. How could you push someone for a toy?"

Max glanced at Selina, and then quickly ran over to Jason. He hugged his leg and instinctively lied, "Daddy, I didn't push him. He fell on his own. I just really like this toy and wanted to borrow it for a bit."

Jason bent down and picked Max up, doting on him without hesitation. "I know. I believe you."

Edith's breath caught in her throat, and she felt so sad for Leo.

They'd all walked over together, so Jason had also seen everything happen right in front of him. But he just turned a blind eye and took Max's word for it.

Edith wondered if Jason treated Max so well because Max was the son of his precious first love.

But Leo was Jason's own flesh and blood.

Edith fought back her resentment, pulling Leo behind her and shielding him. Through gritted teeth, she said, "Everyone saw what happened. Ms. Evans, your son should apologize to my son."

Selina's smile faded. "Edith, I know Max was wrong, but it's just a toy. It's really not worth making a scene over. We're classmates. No need to get so worked up about it."

"Classmates or not, if someone bullies my son, they should apologize. That's only fair," Edith shot back.

She'd endured years of being wronged, and her son had suffered right along with her.

No one could bully Leo anymore, not on her watch.

Just as things got tense, Leo looked up at Jason with red-rimmed eyes. He grabbed Jason's pant leg, hoping he'd stand up for him. "Mr. Carter, Max took my toy and pushed me on purpose. Mom just wants him to apologize to me."

But Jason just held Max in his arms, giving Leo a cold, indifferent look. "Max is just a kid. How strong could he be? You're not even hurt, so don't make a big deal out of it."

With that, he took Selina's hand, protectively pulled her and Max close, and turned to leave.

Edith didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and blocked their path. "You're not leaving until Max apologizes to Leo!"

A cold glint flashed in Jason's eyes as he snapped, "Alright, since you won't let this go, I'll apologize for Max.

"Leo, Max shouldn't have taken your toy. I'm apologizing on his behalf. Is that enough for you?"

Without waiting for Edith's or Leo's reaction, Jason strode off, indifferent to their feelings.

Leo kept his head down, tears shimmering in his eyes.

Even though Jason apologized, he didn't feel any better.

Jason stood up for Max, but Leo had never felt that kind of support before.

His tears fell one by one, splashing onto the floor and soaking it. He sobbed so hard that he couldn't even catch his breath.

Edith's heart shattered for Leo. She pulled him into a fierce embrace, fighting back her own tears as she soothed him and wiped his cheeks dry.

"Mom, is that lady the woman in the photo that Mr. Carter always looks at?" Leo was still sobbing, his eyes red and swollen, looking up at Edith with a look of pure hurt.

Edith was at a loss for words, not sure how to explain it to Leo.

She never thought Leo would notice that, so all she could do was keep quiet.

Leo sobbed, his voice trembling with hurt, "Is it because Mr. Carter likes that lady, so he likes Max, too?"

Edith couldn't hold back her grief anymore. Tears streamed down her face, and she choked out, "I'm sorry, Leo. It's my bad."

"It's not your fault, Mom. It's Mr. Carter's," Leo said, gently wiping away Edith's tears. "Mom, Mr. Carter didn't really value the chance we gave him today. He doesn't have many chances left."

Right, Jason really didn't have many chances left.