Chapter 8 Dad Is Taking Care of Auntie Quinn

That night, after Violet got back to her apartment, she tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.

Her mind was full of her uncle's expectant, pleading eyes.

Reed Corporation was facing a huge financial crisis, and Hart Group was the top dog in the business world. If they could lend a hand, Reed Corporation would definitely turn things around.

If she asked for a partnership on the RTU project, would Adrian agree?

Adrian was known as the cold-faced devil in business circles—he was always strictly fair.

Everything came down to strength, and Adrian never played favorites.

At 11:30 that night.

Violet still called Adrian.

The first time, he hung up.

The second time, hung up again.

Only on the third try did he pick up.

It was Theodore who answered.

"Mom, what do you need from Dad?" Theodore asked.

It had been a while since Violet heard Theodore's voice, and her heart softened.

No matter how cold she tried to act, Theodore was still her son, carried for nine months.

Pretending she had no feelings was a lie.

Violet asked with concern, "Theo, it's so late—why aren't you asleep yet?"

Theodore said, "We went to the amusement park today and got back late."

Violet asked, "Did you have fun?"

She didn't ask who he went with.

From past experience, it was always Adrian and Auntie Quinn taking Theodore to the amusement park.

Theodore said, "Super fun. I want to go again next time."

Violet smiled and changed the subject. "Where's your dad?"

Theodore must have been a bit foggy-headed, because he blurted out, "Auntie Quinn ate some nuts by mistake today and had an allergic reaction. Dad's taking care of her."

As soon as he said it, there was a brief silence on both ends.

Violet's grip tightened on the phone, veins faintly showing on the back of her hand.

Theodore seemed to sense something and quickly asked, "Mom, when are you coming home?"

Mom could be petty and didn't like Auntie Quinn.

But he had to admit, hearing Mom's voice on the phone made him miss her.

Violet lowered her eyes, hiding the darkness in them, and didn't answer.

Home?

That place wasn't her home anymore.

In the divorce papers, she had even given up custody of Theodore.

She was so heartless that she didn't even fight for visitation rights...

Theodore knew Mom was upset again, so he whined, "Mom, I haven't seen you in so long. If you don't come home, no one tucks me in at night. I want to hear you tell stories."

Mom's hugs smelled nice.

When he slept holding her, he slept soundly and peacefully.

Violet's heart softened a bit more. "Theo, once Mom's done with work, I'll come see you."

She didn't mention coming home.

Theodore happily said okay.

"Mom, what did you need Dad for? Should I go get him?"

Violet thought of Adrian busy taking care of Quinn and turned it down. "No need. And don't tell him I called."

Theodore nodded. "Okay."

"Kids need to sleep early," Violet said softly. "Theo, good night."

Theodore said good night and hung up.

Violet didn't sleep all night.

Early the next morning, Violet went to Hart Group.

Bad luck—Adrian wasn't there.

Claire pulled Violet aside and gossiped quietly.

"I heard from Roman that Mr. Hart's girlfriend got sick."

"She had a bad allergic reaction, and Mr. Hart stayed up all night taking care of her."

"Not sure on the details, but Mr. Hart cleared his whole schedule for the week."

"Ms. Mitchell is so lucky. Mr. Hart really loves her—he's the perfect guy."

Violet didn't comment on Adrian's personal life.

Since she couldn't find Adrian, Violet remembered Theodore saying he missed her last night.

So, at pickup time, she went to the kindergarten and got Theodore.

Theodore walked out with his good friend.

The friend hadn't seen Violet before and smiled at Theodore. "Theo, this auntie is so pretty, just like your mom."

The teacher froze with her smile and quickly corrected the kid. "Tom, this is Theo's mom."

Tom looked confused. "Huh? But the pretty auntie who came with Theo for Children's Day last time—wasn't she his mom? Who is she then? Does Theo have two moms? Both his moms are pretty. I want two pretty moms too."

The teacher pulled candy from her pocket and gave it to Tom to distract him.

Violet stood there, listening to the kid's innocent words, a wave of bitterness washing over her.

Two moms—one of them must be Quinn.

The teacher gave Violet an awkward smile. "Mrs. Hart, sorry about that."

Violet said flatly, "It's fine."

She crouched down and neatly fixed Theodore's backpack.

Once it was done, Violet took Theodore's hand and left the kindergarten.

On the way, Theodore whined for ice cream, so Violet bought some.

Then he wanted popcorn, and she bought that too.

Theodore sat in his car seat, curiously staring at Violet.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Violet asked.

Theodore munched on popcorn. "Mom seems different."

Violet's lips curved. "Does she?"

"Yeah." Theodore nodded. "Before, Mom never let me have ice cream or popcorn. No this, no that."

Violet looked at him in the rearview mirror, a bit sadly. "Not anymore."

She had no custody.

After the divorce, their chances to see each other would be few and far between.

Violet thought that during their time together, she should give Theodore as many happy memories as possible.

Mother and son went back to the Hart family home.

Adrian wasn't home—looked like he went to take care of Quinn again.

Violet cooked Theodore's favorite dishes herself.

After dinner, she played with him, gave him a bath, and tucked him in.

At 10 p.m. that night.

There was noise in the living room—Adrian must be back.

Violet kept thinking about the RTU project. After all, they had been husband and wife—surely Adrian would remember some old feelings.

As she walked to the stairs, she heard voices.

"Brother-in-law, thank you so much."

Violet froze in place.

Brother-in-law?

She had no younger brother or sister.

That voice—it was clearly Quinn's brother, Landon Wells.

"Without your help, Wells Industrial wouldn't have gotten the RTU project so smoothly," Landon said.

Violet looked down, her bitterness plain to see.

Wells Industrial had gotten the RTU project.

Adrian's tone was mild. "Landon, we're family—no need to be so formal."

Hearing Adrian's words, the last bit of hope Violet had completely died.

Even more ironic: Adrian, who was always so impartial, had helped Wells Industrial. That must be his love for Quinn spilling over.