Chapter 278

Carly’s WhatsApp notification chimed—the special tone for important contacts. “It’s after work,” she realized, “Kindergarten’s sending Ronald home.” She’d arranged daycare with Isabella; now, it was pickup time.

She grabbed her phone, replied to the teacher, and rushed downstairs. The kindergarten bus idled at the curb. The teacher spotted her and opened the door.

"Goodbye, sir," Ronald said, waving.

"Goodbye, Ronald," the teacher replied, smiling.

Ronald bolted to Carly, yelling, "Mommy!" Carly hugged him, his joy a stark contrast to her own complicated feelings. Since leaving her depressing marriage, Ronald was undeniably happier. But now…

Ronald sensed her mood shift. "Mommy, what's wrong?" he asked, confused.

Carly forced a smile. "I'm okay."

He just looked at her. She stroked his head. "Let's go home."

He brightened immediately. "Okay!"

As they turned, they saw Connor. He hadn’t left; he’d been hiding.

Ronald froze, instinctively wanting to hide, then, remembering Carly, he bravely stepped in front of her, arms outstretched. "Don't come over!" he yelled at Connor.

Carly, who'd recently refused to back down, felt her resolve crumble. Winning didn't matter; Ronald’s happiness did. Leave, she thought, this city. Start over.

Pulling Ronald behind her, she pulled out her phone to call the police. Connor lunged for it.

Carly bit his arm—hard. It was unexpected, fierce. He yelped, pulling away. She tasted blood.

Connor retaliated, grabbing her hair. The pain was agonizing. She cried out, releasing his arm. He flung her aside.

But Ronald, quick as lightning, bit Connor’s thigh. Connor roared, slapping Ronald hard. The boy fell, his forehead hitting the flowerbed.

Carly screamed. Ronald, rarely crying, bawled. His cheek swelled, blood gushing from his forehead. Panic seized Carly; her hands trembled. The hospital!

She fumbled for her phone, dialing 911, her voice choked with tears. She managed to give her location.

She checked Ronald's bleeding forehead. “Ronald, d-don’t scare me,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

He raised a hand to wipe her tears. Connor, momentarily panicked by the sight of Ronald’s injury, started to retreat.

Carly spotted a brick. Rage fueled her. She hurled it at Connor’s head. He crumpled, blood welling. He deserves this, she thought, if anything happens to Ronald…

Nearby residents fled in fear.

Soon, an ambulance arrived. The medics found two patients instead of one, rushing both Connor and Ronald to the ER.