Chapter 223 First and Foremost, I Am Myself, and Only Then a Mother

Chapter 223 First and Foremost, I Am Myself, and Only Then a Mother

Evelyn turned her head and saw a young man standing a few steps away.

Evelyn didn't respond. She walked past him carrying the firewood.

But the guy followed her, his tone even more eager: "Come on, let's be friends. Add me on WhatsApp, we can hang out sometime."

"Do you come here often? I know this area pretty well, I could be your guide."

Evelyn stopped and refused coldly: "No need."

She walked around him and kept going.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Andy ran over from a distance, out of breath as he reached Evelyn's side. He looked warily at the young man, his voice clear and bright, "Mommy, who is this person?"

Evelyn replied: "No idea."

Andy immediately took her hand, looked up at her, his voice just loud enough for the man to hear.

"Mommy, let's go back. Daddy grilled some meat and is waiting for you to come eat."

The young man looked at Andy, then at Evelyn, gave an awkward smile, and walked away.

Evelyn glanced down at Andy. He was looking up at her with a smile, a hint of pride in his expression.

She didn't say anything, just held his hand as they walked back.

Back at the campsite, Luke had already set up the grill. The charcoal was burning red-hot, and several skewers of beef were sizzling on the rack, dripping with oil and filling the air with a delicious smell.

Evelyn had brought some food—simple instant meals and snacks.

Luke had brought much more than her: a grill, a frying pan, various meats and vegetables. It was like he'd moved half a kitchen here.

Andy was thrilled, circling around the grill.

One moment he was handing Luke seasonings, the next moment passing plates to Evelyn, busy and happy.

Luke's grilling skills were pretty good. The beef was charred on the outside and tender inside. Sprinkled with cumin and chili, the aroma spread through the mountain air.

Andy ate with oil all over his mouth, his cheeks puffed out, mumbling: "Daddy's meat is the best!"

The three of them sat around the grill, and it was actually kind of nice.

As night fell, stars appeared in the sky one by one, dense and scattered, like diamonds sprinkled across the ground.

Andy was full and getting sleepy, leaning against Evelyn's shoulder, his eyelids getting heavier and heavier.

Evelyn carried him into the tent, tucked him in, gently pressed her hand on his forehead, and stepped back out.

Outside the tent, Luke was still sitting by the grill.

The charcoal had gone out, but the embers still glowed dark red.

Evelyn walked up to him, stood still, looked him in the eye, and didn't sit down.

"What exactly are you trying to do?" she asked directly, her face completely cold.

Luke looked up.

He met her gaze: "Andy's still young, he needs his parents around. I just want to give him a normal family."

But Evelyn's eyes were sharp as knives, as if cutting through all the fake sweetness.

"A normal family?" She laughed coldly.

"Luke, you're talking to me about a normal family? We're already divorced. How long have you been hiding this from him? Are you planning to keep hiding it forever? Until he grows up, figures it out himself?"

"Or wait until his classmates at school ask him 'are your parents divorced?' before you tell him?"

Luke said nothing.

Evelyn didn't give him a chance to breathe, pressing on.

"And what about Maggie? Maggie's been with you all these years, you can't tell me you don't know how she feels. Can you really just watch her stay with you like this, with no status, no commitment?"

Luke's lips moved, his voice low: "I can handle it."

Evelyn laughed coldly again.

"You can handle it? You've been 'handling it' for so long, what have you handled? How long did you drag your feet before applying for the Divorce Certificate? Have you ever given Maggie a clear answer?"

"And Andy, have you said a single word to him? You haven't done anything. You're just standing still, making everyone revolve around you, waiting for you to decide. This isn't being responsible, this is draining everyone."

She took a deep breath, her voice dropping lower.

But she emphasized: "One week. Either you tell Andy yourself, or I will. Your choice."

Luke looked up, his gaze changing.

"Andy is your own child. How can you be so heartless to him?" His voice was low and hoarse, as if suppressing something.

Evelyn met his eyes, not avoiding them, not backing down.

She said seriously: "But I'm myself first, and a mother second."

"There are women who can have children everywhere in this world, but not every woman can achieve what I have in my career. Andy's life should be his own to live, not a fake fairy tale that adults protect him with."

"You shield him from everything, but can you do it forever? When he grows up and finds out the world isn't what he thought it was, he'll resent you."

She finished speaking and watched Luke's face in the moonlight, bright and dark, his expression unclear.

After a moment, Luke spoke.

His voice was very low: "I'll tell him."

But Evelyn's tone carried undisguised sarcasm: "You'd better mean it."

Then she turned and walked toward the tent, unzipped it, and crawled inside.

Luke didn't follow.

It was quiet outside the tent, only the rustling of wind through leaves and the chirping of unknown insects in the distance.

Andy was sleeping soundly, his face buried in the pillow, breathing evenly.

Evelyn lay down beside him, pulled the sleeping bag over herself, and closed her eyes.

Early the next morning, the three of them packed up and headed back to Oceancrest City.

Luke drove in front, Evelyn's car following behind.

At the city intersection, one turned left, one turned right, each disappearing into the traffic.

A few days later, Evelyn was invited to attend a meeting of government business representatives.

The meeting was held in the conference hall of the city government building. There weren't many people there, all representatives from top companies in various industries in Oceancrest City.

When Evelyn walked into the hall, a dozen or so people were already seated.

She had just reached the sign-in desk when a cool voice came from behind her.

"Ms. Thomas."

Evelyn turned around and saw Maggie standing a few steps away, wearing a polite smile on her face.

But what was hidden beneath that smile was obvious without guessing.

Evelyn glanced at her, made a sound of acknowledgment, looked away, signed in, then turned and walked into the conference hall.

Frank was standing by a pillar at the entrance taking a phone call. Seeing this scene, he hung up and walked over to Maggie.

"Ms. Smith, don't bother with her. Someone like Evelyn, so proud and arrogant, will get what's coming to her one day."

His tone carried some comfort.

Maggie kept her head down, saying nothing, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the handle of her bag.

Frank's voice lowered as he changed the subject, "By the way, isn't your birthday coming up soon? I remember it's in the next few days."

Maggie nodded, "Yes."

Frank smiled, "Well, happy birthday in advance."

Maggie smiled, somewhat touched: "Thank you."