Chapter246
288 Vouchers
Chapter246
Remembering how Geoffrey had once grabbed Ethan, Maureen clutched Jacob tighter and demanded
“Geoffrey, what did you do to my son?”
Cradled in Maureen’s arms, Jacob gradually calmed down, nestling closer against her.
Before Geoffrey could explain, Jacob blurted out: “When I went to pick up a package today, this bad uncle kidnapped me without warning and said he’d be my stepdad.”
Stepdad…
Maureen’s heart lurched.
Geoffrey didn’t deny it: “Reenie, I know he’s yours and Gareth’s child, so I brought him home.”
“We’ll live together from now on.”
After saying that, Geoffrey said to Jacob: “Jacob, if you’re unwilling, when you’re capable, you can kill me.”
“Now your mom is my wife, legally I’m your stepfather.”
Jacob…
Maureen belatedly realized Geoffrey had mistaken the person.
She hurriedly covered Jacob’s mouth, then told Geoffrey: “Ethan can be cared for by Gareth, no need to live with us.”
“Care?”
Geoffrey told Maureen about seeing Jacob alone on the street today.
“As a father, is this how he cares for children?”
In Maureen’s arms, Jacob – mouth covered – heard this, dark eyes swirling with complex emotions.
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288 Vouchers
What did Geoffrey mean?
He abandoned his wife and child, yet now lectured others on parenting?
Maureen choked up.
She hadn’t known Jacob was alone on the street. Though well-behaved, he was just four years old.
Unable to refute, she took Jacob back to their room.
In the bedroom, Jacob immediately apologized.
“Mommy, I’m sorry, it’s my fault.
Aunt Katherine only asked me to fetch a package downstairs. I wanted to find you myself.”
He couldn’t let Aunt Katherine take the blame.
Seeing his maturity, Maureen couldn’t help holding him tighter.
“Jacob.”
I should be the one apologizing. I didn’t take good care of you.”
Katherine had her own work and still helped look after my child.
Maureen first told Katherine that Roy had been found and was safe, putting her mind at ease.
She explained that Geoffrey had discovered Roy, and now the boy was back home.
Resting his head on Maureen’s shoulder, Roy finally spoke up: “Mommy, he’s my dad, right?”
Maureen’s pupils constricted, her heart seeming to stop.
“Roy… how did you know?”
She realized the truth couldn’t stay hidden-one lie always demanded more lies.
“I’ve known he’s my dad for a while now.’
Roy took a deep breath. “Those pictures in your bedroom drawer, clipped from newspapers… they’re all of him.”
“I’m sorry,” Maureen’s voice trembled. “I planned to tell you and Ethan when you grew
older.
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I’m so sorry…
She clenched her hands. “I was selfish. I feared he’d take you both away. Forgive me.”
At this moment, Maureen seemed like a lost child herself.
Jacob saw that Mommy was sad and instantly panicked.
He lifted his little hand and gently hugged Maureen, patting her back.
“Mommy, my brother and I will never leave you, and no one will ever take us away.”
Listening to Jacob’s comforting words, Maureen held him tightly.
“Thank you, Jacob.”
Jacob wasn’t one to act spoiled and was rarely held by Maureen.
Every time before when Maureen tried to hold him, he would proudly refuse.
Actually, he really loved being held by Mommy, but he was just too shy.
Now his face was flushed, as if on fire: “Mommy, do we have to trick him now?
Let him keep thinking I’m Ethan?”
Maureen hadn’t expected that a child so young would have thought of this.
“No need, he already knows I gave birth to twins.”
She didn’t want Jacob to lie either.
After hearing this, Jacob thought for a moment: “Then how about this: I just won’t tell him I’m Jacob on my own, okay?”
“Okay.”
Mother and son made this agreement.
Jacob felt relieved; thankfully, Mommy didn’t blame him for it.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door: “Reenie.”
It was Zoe
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Maureen immediately went to open the door.
Jacob also came out: “Grandma.”
Zoe wasn’t surprised to see Jacob. She’d heard voices outside carlier while in her room.
She smiled at the boy and took him to get something tasty.
Maureen finally entered the living room where Geoffrey sat waiting on the sofa.
“Geoffrey.”
Maureen approached him. “If you regret this now, it’s not too late. We can divorce. I want nothing.”
Geoffrey looked up at her:
“Reenie, didn’t you say the baby wasn’t mine?”
Maureen froze.
“Then one more won’t hurt.”
Geoffrey paused before adding, “Wayne told me you had twins. You can bring the other child too. I can afford to raise them.”
Maureen couldn’t believe this came from the proud Geoffrey she once knew.
Why would he raise another man’s children?
As she stood speechless, Geoffrey rose and grasped her arm.
“Aren’t you happy I brought him back?
I thought you’d miss him.”
His voice softened.
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