Chapter 247 Apologize to My Daughter

Chapter 247 Apologize to My Daughter

Eleanor hasn't been herself lately.

Emily noticed her daughter had gone quiet. She used to chatter about school at dinner, but now she just ate in silence. When Emily asked what was wrong, Eleanor only shook her head.

At night, Eleanor tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. Sometimes she'd wake up screaming, covered in sweat, and cling to Emily while crying.

Emily asked what she'd dreamed about, but Eleanor wouldn't say. She just buried her face in Emily's arms and whispered, "Mom, please don't stop wanting me."

Emily felt a sharp pain in her chest.

She knew Eleanor had been through too much. During the time Matthew kept them locked in the villa, Emily had tried to protect her, but kids pick up on everything.

Later, when Emily sent Eleanor away, it was the longest they'd ever been apart, and it must have left her unsettled. Now Emily was pregnant again, and Eleanor probably had her own thoughts about it—or maybe someone had said something to her.

Emily didn't push. She just held her daughter, gently patting her back until she fell asleep, then tucked the blanket around her.

The next morning, when Emily dropped Eleanor off at school, she crouched down at the gate and fixed her collar.

"Eleanor, how about I sit in on your class today?"

Eleanor's eyes lit up for a second, then dimmed. "You have to work, Mom. You don't have time."

"I took the day off." Emily pinched her cheek lightly. "Come on."

Eleanor took her hand and held it tight.

During class, Emily sat on a small stool at the back. Eleanor kept glancing back to make sure she was still there before turning around again.

At recess, Eleanor went to the bathroom. Emily waited in the hallway. A few kids nearby were chatting. A girl with pigtails said, "My mom said once you have a new baby, you stop liking the old one. That's what happened to my aunt—she stopped paying attention to my cousin after my little cousin was born."

A boy chimed in, "Yeah, my mom says the same thing. The little one needs more attention, so the big one just has to play by themselves."

Emily understood everything in that moment.

When Eleanor came out, Emily took her hand and walked over to the girl with pigtails. She crouched down and asked, "Who taught you to say that?"

The girl blinked. "My mom."

Emily stood up and said to Eleanor, "Eleanor, point out which kids said those things."

Eleanor hesitated, then pointed at the girl and the boy.

Emily found the teacher, explained briefly, and asked her to call the parents. The teacher looked uneasy but made the calls.

Half an hour later, both parents arrived.

The girl's mom walked in wearing a designer suit and high heels, looking annoyed. "What's this about? I have a ton of work at the office."

The boy's dad, a middle-aged man with a beer belly, looked just as irritated.

Emily stood in the office and explained what had happened.

"Your kids told the class that moms stop liking the older child once they have a new baby. My daughter heard it and started having nightmares. She can't sleep at night. I think you need to apologize."

The boy's dad snorted. "Over this? Kids say stuff all the time. You're making a big deal out of nothing."

The girl's mom added, "Exactly. They're just kids—they don't know any better. It'll blow over. Why are you, an adult, getting worked up over something a child said?"

Emily looked at her, her voice calm. "If the kids don't know better, what about the adults?"

The girl's mom's face changed. "What did you just say?"

"I said, they only repeat what they hear at home." Emily took a step forward. "You weren't careful with your words, the kids heard it, brought it to school, and now my daughter's terrified. Instead of feeling sorry, you think I'm overreacting?"

"You can't blame my kid!" the girl's mom snapped, her voice rising. "Every kid says things like this. If your daughter's so sensitive, maybe that's on you."

"Right," the boy's dad added. "If you're this fragile, just keep her home and teach her yourself."

Emily smiled faintly. "So it's my fault my daughter is scared and having nightmares?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then whose fault is it?" Emily cut in, her voice steady but firm. "Your kids spread this in class. That's bullying. As parents, you didn't stop it or teach them better—you're defending them. Is that how you raise your children?"

The girl's mom's face turned red. "How dare you say my child is bullying someone?"

"Because my daughter is so scared she can't sleep at night. She's like this because of what your kids said." Emily's eyes were red, but her voice stayed even. "She's only five. She doesn't understand. She thinks I really will stop wanting her. Your kids got to say whatever they wanted, but how long will my daughter carry this? Have you thought about that?"

The room went quiet.

The teacher stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do.

Just then, the door opened.

Alex walked in.

He'd been in a meeting when Emily called. He postponed it and came straight over. In his dark suit, he made the whole room feel heavier the moment he appeared.

The boy's dad recognized him and went pale.

"Mr. Baker?"

Alex walked over to Emily, glanced at her, then looked at the two parents. His tone was flat. "What happened?"

Before Emily could answer, the girl's mom jumped in, her voice suddenly much softer. "Mr. Baker, this is all a misunderstanding. Just kids talking. We'll go home and teach them properly. We will."

The boy's dad nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, we didn't watch them closely enough. We're sorry. We'll apologize right away."

Alex didn't look at them. He looked down at Emily. "Where's Eleanor?"

"In the classroom."

"I'll go check on her."

He turned to leave, but Emily grabbed his sleeve. "Wait."

She looked at the two parents, her voice calm but firm. "You shouldn't apologize to me. I want you and your children to apologize to my daughter face to face."