Chapter 39: Childish Words Protecting Mother
This left Tyler speechless. I let out a cold laugh and headed straight upstairs.
The next morning, a light rain suddenly came, pattering against the windows. The summer heat was fading but not quite gone. After washing up, I went to Jasper's room.
Since I needed to rebuild my relationship with Jasper, every weekend when he was home all day, I spent all my time with him.
Opening the bedroom door, I found Jasper already awake, sitting alone on the carpet playing with toys.
Seeing me come in, he happily reached out his arms for a hug. My heart warmed as I walked over, sat down beside him, and pulled him into my arms.
"Why are you up so early?"
"It's Mommy who got up late. It's almost nine o'clock now." Jasper stuck out his tongue.
I looked at the clock on the wall and realized I really had overslept.
I pinched Jasper's little nose. "Has Jasper eaten?"
"Yes, I ate with Grandpa and Grandma. Grandma went out shopping, and Grandpa and Daddy went to the office."
Hearing this, a self-mocking smile crossed my lips. I patted Jasper's head. "Where does Jasper want to go play today? I'll take you."
"It's raining outside. Jasper doesn't like going out on rainy days. Mommy can stay home and play toys with Jasper."
"Okay."
I glanced at the pile of toys on the shelf, guessing that many of them were probably bought by Ava, and an idea quietly formed in my mind.
While playing with toys, Jasper suddenly looked up at me. "Mommy, I want to ask you a question."
I was organizing the toy trains on the floor. "What question?"
"Is Mommy lazy?"
I was confused. "Why do you ask that?"
Jasper's eyes were clear and innocent. "Ava said Mommy is lazy, doesn't go to work, doesn't do anything, and relies on Daddy every day."
Hearing this, my brows furrowed slightly. "Ava really said that?"
Jasper nodded firmly. "Yes, Ava said it many times. She also said Daddy doesn't like lazy people. Daddy likes hardworking and pretty people."
"She said she's a hardworking and pretty person?"
"Yes, Ava is pretty. Grandma also says she's pretty. But Grandma also says Mommy is lazy. But Jasper thinks Mommy isn't lazy. Mommy is even prettier than Ava." As he spoke, Jasper put his little hands on his hips, looking indignant.
Although Jasper was a child under six, he already understood the difference between nice words and mean words.
My fingernails dug into my palm, my eyes darkening slightly. It seemed Ava's behind-the-scenes schemes were far more than I knew.
Seeing Jasper's indignant expression, at that moment, I felt that no matter what Ava said about me, I wouldn't be too upset, because Jasper was already defending me.
"Jasper, don't worry about what others say. If in Jasper's heart I'm pretty, then I'm pretty."
"In Jasper's heart, Mommy is prettier than Ava. Mommy is the prettiest!" Jasper's eyes were determined.
I ruffled Jasper's hair. No matter how the Thompson family viewed me, no matter what schemes Ava pulled, none of it mattered. I had already made up my mind to divorce. We would reach that point sooner or later. By then, the Thompson family would have nothing to do with me, and having Jasper would be enough.
For now, winning back Jasper's heart had made great progress. I could feel that Jasper had started treating me as his mother again.
As long as I kept working at it for a while longer, no one could take Jasper away from me.
-
After playing with Jasper all morning, at lunchtime, I took Jasper's hand and went downstairs, just as Isla was coming back.
I noticed the various luxury brand shopping bags she was carrying and guessed she had been shopping with Ava.
When Isla saw me, she instinctively hid the bags behind her back, which only confirmed my suspicion.
I ignored her and sat down at the dining table with Jasper. The maid had already served the food. I said directly, "It's just us for lunch today. Please sit down and eat with us."
The maid was flattered. "How could I? I'm just the help. Mrs. Thompson, you all go ahead and eat."
"What era are we living in? Everyone is equal. Please sit down and eat with us."
Jasper also tugged at the maid's hand. "Jasper wants to eat with you."
The maid smiled kindly, looking at me gratefully. "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson."
At that moment, Isla walked over, her tone displeased. "Sophia, the elders haven't sat down yet, and you're already starting to eat? And letting a maid eat at the table? Do you even respect me anymore?"
Hearing this, the maid looked embarrassed and instinctively started to stand up. I reached out and patted the maid's shoulder, then lifted my eyelids to look at Isla. "Respect is mutual. If there isn't any, then there isn't any."
Isla's face darkened. "What are you trying to do?"
"Jasper is here. I hope you'll watch yourself." My tone was flat, giving Isla no face at all.
In the past, no matter how Isla treated me, I understood respect for elders. I always respected her and called her Mom.
But not anymore.
Jasper looked confused. "Grandma, why are you treating Mommy like this? Mommy didn't do anything. And this morning when we were eating breakfast, I said to call Mommy to join us, but Grandma wouldn't let me."
I smiled with relief, my face showing gentle warmth.
Jasper's words left Isla speechless. Her face looked terrible. She could only say, "I'm tired. Bring me some food. I'll eat upstairs."
With that, Isla angrily went upstairs carrying all her shopping bags.
I gave the maid a reassuring look. She nodded gratefully at me, then hurried to get dishes to pack food for Isla.
-
In the evening, Tyler and Gray came home together. I was playing with Jasper in the yard when Jasper ran into Tyler's arms. When Gray saw me, he looked a bit awkward.
He walked up to me and said, "Sophia, you weren't up yet when I left this morning, so I didn't get to apologize. Don't take last night's incident to heart. It was all a misunderstanding."
I naturally didn't believe him, but compared to Isla, Gray, who didn't care about anything, was actually better.
"It's fine, Dad. I just don't want to set a bad example for Jasper."
Gray looked embarrassed and could only laugh awkwardly.
Tyler walked over carrying Jasper. He looked at me. "The car's been ordered. It'll arrive in a week."
I didn't respond to that, but said instead, "The maid has already made dinner. Let's eat first."
Tyler's expression was uncomfortable, but he didn't say anything.
During dinner, Gray brought up Tyler's cousin Liliana.
Liliana's parents had died in a car accident ten years ago, and Gray had basically taken care of her since then. After high school, Gray sent her abroad to study. She only came back once every year or two. It had been about three years since her last visit, and now Liliana had finished her master's degree and was planning to return.
"When Liliana comes back, let her stay with you guys first. Her old place hasn't been lived in for too long and hasn't been cleaned yet."