Chapter 6
"I'll keep an eye on Mom," Jaxton said.
My eyes filled with tears as I thought to myself, 'Looks like this family doesn't need me at all.'
"Mom, can you help me with my homework?" Jaxton asked, clutching a pile of books and looking all gloomy.
He'd already finished his Physics, tackled math, and even managed to recite all those ancient poems.
"Go take a break, kiddo. Go have some fun," I said.
"No, I want to keep studying," Jaxton insisted.
Seeing how stubborn and determined Jaxton was, my heart ached even more. He'd pull out all the stops just to make sure I stayed.
"I'll go get you some milk," I said.
But as soon as I stood up, Jaxton held me back, not letting me leave.
"No, Mom, don't go," he pleaded.
I gently pried his hand off and insisted on leaving.
Jaxton clung to my leg, his face streaked with tears.
"Mom, please, stay with me," he begged.
I sighed and bent down to help him up.
When I refused, Jaxton snatched a stone ornament off the table and brought it down on my head.
The sharp edge tore into my scalp, and blood gushed instantly.
I stared at him in disbelief, the ache in my heart overwhelming any pain from the wound.
How did I end up raising such a heartless kid?
I was done with both of them.
I was rushed to the hospital.
When I got out, Jaxton was kneeling right in front of me.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I lost control. Please forgive me," he said, his voice shaking.
Dylan grabbed a stick and smacked Jaxton twice on the hands.
"You really went and hurt your mom. If she won't forgive you, I won't either," Dylan said, his tone cold.
They were just putting on an act for me.
I turned away, cold and silent, heading straight to the hospital entrance to hail a cab.
Dylan stepped forward and grabbed my arm.
"Amina, Jaxton's only five. He didn't do it on purpose. Please, give him another chance. Punish him, even hit him if you want," he pleaded.
I shook my head, resolute.
"No need," I said.
Dylan's heart clenched.
"Amina, don't be like this. You're scaring us," he said, his voice trembling.
Ellis came over, dragging Jaxton along. I recoiled in disgust, stepping back to put some distance between us.
"Amina, don't be so hard on him. He's your son. Just guide him, and he'll come around," Ellis said.
Suddenly, a car came out of nowhere, completely out of control.
Dylan instantly threw himself in front of Ellis to protect her, while Jaxton yanked her back just in time.
The car barreled straight into me, sending me flying 10 feet before I hit the pavement hard.
As I slipped into unconsciousness, I caught a glimpse of Dylan, his face frozen in panic, and Jaxton, screaming my name as they rushed toward me.
I woke up in the hospital.
Dylan was kneeling by my bedside, crying his eyes out.
"I'm sorry, Amina. Everything happened so fast. I just couldn't grab you in time," he said, voice shaking.
Jaxton was bawling his eyes out, too.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I thought you were right beside me. If you want to blame someone, blame me," he sobbed.
Ellis was standing off to the side, wiping away her tears.
"Amina, it's my fault. I saw you outside and didn't make sure you were behind the safety line," she said, her voice trembling.
Dylan gave Ellis a look full of concern.
"Ellis, it was the driver's fault. This has nothing to do with you," he said softly.
I shut my eyes again, not wanting to see them putting on their little show any longer.
"Just leave me alone. I need to rest," I said, my voice cold.
Dylan made sure a nurse was there, and the three of them finally left me alone.
That night, my phone rang.
"Ellis, good thing you didn't get hurt this time. If you'd been hit, it would've killed me," Dylan said, sounding relieved.
"Yeah, Ellis, I'm just glad I managed to pull you aside. As long as you're okay, that's what matters most," Jaxton added.
Dylan and Jaxton were both fawning over Ellis.
After a while, Ellis's voice came through the phone.
"Amina, you heard all that, didn't you?" she said.
"I'm sure you've seen and heard it all for yourself," she added.
"Why don't you just give up your spot as Mrs. Clark and let me have it? No need to keep torturing yourself!"
I shot back, cold as ice. "Dylan's always playing the 'loving husband' for everyone to see. He'll never leave me for you, unless you're ready to step into my shoes and pretend to be me."
"If you can really talk him into divorcing me, I'll sign the papers, no questions asked," I added.
Ellis smirked, looking all pleased with herself.
"You were ready to throw your life away, but you still care about some marriage certificate?" she scoffed.
"Wanna bet on it?" she challenged.
Ellis fainted at home.
"I've been dealing with kidney failure for a while now. The hospital says I need a transplant. Amina and I already did the matching test. Turns out her kidney is just what I need," she said.