Chapter 13

<p>I stepped forward and pulled Mallory to my side.</p><p>"Mr. Saunders, my son can be a bit of a handful. I'm counting on you to keep him in line from now on," I said.</p><p>My tone was polite but distant.</p><p>"When will the lessons be each day?" I asked.</p><p>"I'll have someone pick him up and drop him off right on time, so you won't be disturbed for too long."</p><p>Andy got to his feet and met my gaze.</p><p>"It's okay.</p><p>"I've had a room set up for Mallory, right next to my study.</p><p>"He'll be staying here from now on," he added.</p><p>"What?" My face fell.</p><p>He wants Mallory to live here?</p><p>Isn't that basically snatching him away from me?</p><p>"No way," I shot back without a second thought. "Mallory's still just a kid. He can't be away from me."</p><p>"He can't stay a child forever," Andy said, his voice growing firmer.</p><p>"There's so much he needs to learn, and if he lives here, I can teach him whenever he needs it.</p><p>"Besides, this is his home; this is where he truly belongs."</p><p>"His home is at my place!" I couldn't hold back anymore, my voice going cold. "Andy, don't overstep your bounds.</p><p>"Just because I want you to teach him doesn't mean I'm giving my son up to you!"</p><p>The air grew tense in an instant.</p><p>We locked eyes in anger, neither of us willing to yield.</p><p>Mallory stood off to the side, glancing between us, his little face caught between us, clearly troubled.</p><p>Just then, Mallory gently tugged at my sleeve.</p><p>"Mother, I'd like to stay here," Mallory said softly.</p><p>I stared at him in shock.</p><p>"Mallory, you..." I managed, unable to believe what I was hearing.</p><p>"Mother, the King's Tutor is right. There's so much I need to learn," Mallory said, looking up at me with determination. "And I want to get to know him better.</p><p>"I want to know if he's a good father."</p><p>He said that last part so quietly.</p><p>But his words landed like a heavy blow, striking both Andy and me right in the heart.</p><p>Andy looked at Mallory, his eyes growing misty in an instant.</p><p>I couldn't find it in me to argue back.</p><p>I saw the hope shining in Mallory's eyes.</p><p>How could I have the heart to refuse him?</p><p>I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.</p><p>After a long pause, I opened my eyes and looked at Andy.</p><p>"Alright," he said. "Whatever you say, Boss Lady."</p><p>"Name them," Andy replied.</p><p>"First, every three days, he spends one night at home with me.</p><p>"Second, I must be allowed to visit him whenever I wish, and you can't interfere.</p><p>"And third—this is the most important thing." I locked eyes with him, making sure he heard every word.</p><p>"You are not allowed to tell him anything about our past, and you absolutely can't push him to call you his dad," I said, my tone firm.</p><p>"If he ever calls you 'Dad' because he truly wants to, that's when you'll know you've earned it.</p><p>"Until then, you're just his teacher," I finished, leaving no room for argument.</p><p>"Can you do that?" I asked, my voice firm.</p><p>Andy was silent for a moment.</p><p>Then he gave a firm nod. "I promise," he said.</p><p>Leaving Mallory at the King's Tutor's estate felt like someone had carved out a chunk of my heart, raw and bleeding.</p><p>The carriage on the way back felt hollow.</p><p>With my son gone and his cheerful chatter missing, the carriage suddenly seemed so spacious—and so unbearably quiet.</p><p>I sank into the soft pillow, my feelings all jumbled up inside.</p><p>Reason told me this was the best arrangement for Mallory.</p><p>He'd receive the finest education possible, and finally have someone to fill the role of a father in his life, making up for the love he'd always lacked.</p><p>But emotionally, I just couldn't accept it.</p><p>He was the son I carried for nine months and raised through hardship and love for five years.</p><p>He was my only comfort through countless lonely nights.</p><p>And now, he was going to live in the place I dreaded most, the one I never wanted to set foot in again.</p><p>He'd be with the man who hurt me more than anyone, day in and day out.</p><p>My heart felt twisted and sour, like it was steeped in vinegar.</p><p>The next few days, I felt lost; my heart just wasn't in anything I did.</p><p>During the day, I forced myself to keep it together for work, even though my mind kept drifting.</p><p>I was getting everything ready for the grand opening of Aurora Fabrics' new branch in the Capital.</p><p>But every night, coming home to that empty house, the crushing sense of loss would wash over me.</p><p>Almost without thinking, I'd end up in Mallory's room.</p><p>The room was untouched, just as he'd left it.</p><p>His favorite little blanket was still neatly folded on the bed.</p><p>His unfinished picture book was still lying on the desk.</p><p>I sat down, touching his things, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.</p><p>Regret started to creep in.</p>