Chapter 22 Mommy's Being Mean to Laura Again!
A cold smile curved Isabella's lips.
She cast one icy glance in Nathan's direction, and he immediately scrambled to hide the tablet computer, fear flashing across his face.
Even though he'd declared he would never acknowledge Isabella as his mother again, the fear was hardwired into Nathan's DNA from years of her parenting.
Just one look from her, and Nathan could tell she was angry.
Isabella had never allowed either child to use electronic devices freely, worried they'd ruin their eyesight too young. She even strictly limited their television time.
Yet here Nathan was, just days after she'd left, already sporting the latest model tablet.
But it didn't matter anymore. Since Nathan had decided not to acknowledge her as his mother, Isabella naturally wouldn't concern herself with whether he damaged his eyes.
That was now his new mommy and daddy's responsibility.
"You can leave now," Isabella said with a polite nod to the few nurses in the room, gesturing for them to exit quickly.
They left reluctantly, having enjoyed chatting with the talkative little boy to pass the tedious work hours.
Once the nurses were gone, Olivia walked directly to the hospital bed, her face full of displeasure.
"Nathan, how can you just call some random woman mommy! Don't you know doing that hurts Mommy's feelings!"
Olivia was a good child, always thinking of Isabella first.
However, Nathan's expression remained indifferent.
He even showed off his latest tablet computer, waving it in front of Olivia.
"Have you ever used one of these?"
"Laura specially bought this for me—it's this year's newest model! Whether I'm watching cartoons or playing games, it's absolutely amazing!"
Nathan pointed to the back of the tablet, "Laura even got me a custom signature edition. I love Laura the most. What's wrong with that?"
Olivia looked disappointed, "Mommy doesn't let us use tablets and phones because she's looking out for us. We're still kids, and if our eyes don't get rest, we'll need glasses."
Lost in the excitement of unlimited screen time, Nathan couldn't hear a word Olivia said. He pursed his lips dismissively, "Those are just excuses! It's because Mommy has no voice with Daddy, so she uses what little power she has to make our lives miserable!"
Isabella immediately knew Laura had fed him those exact words.
But since he could repeat them, it proved he agreed with Laura's twisted logic.
Isabella let out a bitter laugh, "You're right, I really am a terrible mother."
"Laura is definitely a better parent than I am, much better than me."
Isabella had given up trying to reason with Nathan. Even if she tried, he wouldn't accept it anyway.
Nathan had already tasted the sweetness of Laura's permissive parenting. How could he possibly turn back to Isabella's embrace now?
"That's right! Mommy always controls everything I do, but Laura doesn't. Everything Mommy forbids me to have, she buys for me!"
Nathan even began earnestly trying to convince Olivia.
"Olivia, if you spent time with Laura, you'd know what an amazing person she is. No matter what, she never tries to control me—this is what freedom feels like!"
Each word from his mouth felt like a knife stabbing into Isabella's heart.
Her already numb and withered heart began bleeding again from this fresh assault.
Isabella had never imagined that her high standards—meant for the children's own good, would be seen as oppression in his eyes.
The reason her child resented her was thatshe'd been too responsible!
In that instant, Isabella felt like all her years of effort had become a cruel joke.
Everything she'd done was completely negated by Nathan's words.
Isabella felt utterly heartbroken. She leaned back, sinking comfortably into the sofa.
"Well, your dream has come true. Your beloved Laura will become your mother soon enough. Maybe she'll even give you a little brother or sister, and you can all be one happy family."
Isabella laughed coldly. Laura's little tricks of flattery and indulgence might fool children, but any mature adult who spent time with her would see right through them.
Unlimited permissiveness toward children was actually a form of harm.
If this continued, Nathan wouldn't be far from being completely spoiled rotten!
Nathan's face was full of disdain, "Mommy, you don't even have your own job. After leaving Daddy, you can't even afford to eat, let alone support Olivia."
Nathan simply didn't believe Isabella could live independently without William.
"Laura says women are most beautiful when they're independent and self-reliant. Stay-at-home wives like you who just sit around being supported by others are nothing but dead weight!"
If Isabella hadn't heard these words from her own son's mouth, she never could have imagined it.
All her sacrifices for the family, giving up everything—in her biological son's eyes, it was just a choice made to avoid working!
The feeling of heartbreak kept building in her chest. Isabella lifted her eyes and gave Nathan one cool glance.
"Then show me how you plan to be so independent and self-reliant while taking care of yourself."
Just an hour ago, William had been desperately blocking her door, insisting she come take care of Nathan.
Realizing she'd raised an ungrateful brat, Isabella immediately stood to leave. She called Olivia over and headed straight for the door.
As she walked out of the hospital room, Isabella ran right into Laura approaching the room.
Laura was carrying two pink cartoon lunch boxes. When she saw Isabella, she froze for a moment.
"Isabella, you just got here. How are you leaving so soon? Nathan was asking about you all night long. Won't you stay and spend more time with him?"
Given the current situation, if Nathan had been "asking about her" all night, Isabella's first thought was that he'd been bad-mouthing her all night.
A faint smile played at Isabella's lips as she looked at Laura with calm eyes.
"Do you know what they say about evil deeds eventually bringing their own punishment?" Isabella asked in a raised voice.
"You'd better make sure that the Montagu family's most precious grandson doesn't come to any harm in your care, because otherwise..."
Amara alone would be more than enough to make Laura's life hell.
Isabella had already experienced that kind of blame firsthand.
With that, Isabella brushed past Laura and walked away.
Behind her, Nathan, having witnessed the confrontation between the two women, felt terrible for Laura. He immediately pulled out his new tablet and sent William a message.
[Daddy, Mommy's being mean to Laura again!]