Chapter 32
It was Anne’s voice. She had followed Julia out and quietly walked up beside her.X
“Are you alright? Children speak without thinking. Julia, don’t take it to heart. Reese just likes me a little too much; that’s why she said those harsh things. You’re her mother, of course, you wouldn’t blame her.“!!
Julia didn’t reply. She didn’t even want to look at that face pretending to be innocent.
Anne’s gaze drifted to the necklace around Julia’s neck, a delicate diamond pendant shaped like a ballet slipper, intricately set and gleaming under the light.”
Anne spoke with open admiration. “Julia, your necklace is beautiful,”
She reached out to touch it.
Julia instinctively raised her hand and said coldly. “Don’t touch it.”
At that moment, Reese’s voice echoed from a distance. “Teacher Anne, where are you? I want to eat cake with you!”
Anne, having been blocked, suddenly staggered as if losing balance. With a sharp cry, she fell toward Julia.
Caught off guard, Julia tried to dodge, but Anne grabbed at her, and both of them went crashing backward!
Julia’s back and legs slammed hard against the sharp edge of a statue. Warm blood soaked through her clothes almost instantly, and the searing pain made her body tremble uncontrollably.!!
“Teacher Anne!” Reese rushed over to Anne and looked up at her, eyes full of worry. “Does it hurt? Daddy, hurry, help Teacher Anne up!”
Anne had only landed on the grass, suffering a small scrape, yet her eyes shimmered with tears. “Thank you, Reese. It doesn’t hurt.
She turned to Cameron with a pitiful lock. “I just… thought Julia’s necklace was beautiful and wanted to admire it. That’s all.” Cameron frowned but stayed silent. He stepped forward and helped Anne up. As he did, she leaned gently into him, her hand . resting on his shoulder, making him visibly stiffen.!!
Reese’s face twisted with anger. She screamed at Julia, who was still on the ground, “You nasty, fat witch! How dare you push Teacher Annel”
She lunged at Julia, her little fists pounding. “Bullying Teacher Anne! See if you dare do it again!” Then her tiny hand gripped the necklace at Julia’s throat and yanked it with all her strength.
With a sharp snap, the chain broke.
Reese clutched the broken necklace like it was treasure and held it up to Anne.”
“Teacher Anne, here! This pretty necklace, fat witch doesn’t deserve it!”
Anne made a show of modest refusal, her tone gentle. “Reese, you shouldn’t. That belongs to your mommy.”
But Cameron’s voice followed coldly. “It’s a kind gesture from the child. Just take it as an apology from her mother.“%
Julia, still enduring the burning pain in her back, forced out a hoarse whisper.
“I didn’t push her…“X
Cameron’s gaze turned cold. “Julia, apologize to Teacher Anne.”
Julia stared at him in disbelief.
“I didn’t do anything wrong. She lost her balance and dragged me down!”
Reese pointed a finger, her face twisted with contempt.
“You’re fat like a pig! Teacher Anne is skinny. How could she push you? You’re just jealous! You did it on purpose!” All trace of warmth vanished from Cameron’s eyes, replaced by nothing but disgusti
“Julia, you’ve truly let me down, so petty, so pathetic.”
He scooped Anne into his arms.
“Teacher Anne’s hands are meant for the piano; they’re too precious. I apologize on her behalf,“X
Then, his tone softened as he turned to her. “Come on. I’ll take you to the hospital and have that wound looked at.“!
Reese traded after them like a loyal shadow, not once glancing back at Julia.
The pain in Julia’s back seared through her skin, but she still let out a laugh, low, bitter, and soaked in tears.!!
This was the child she had nearly died giving birth to. This was the man who once swore he’d love her forever. And now, without a shred of hesitation, they protected an outsider, leaving her behind like she meant nothing.
In that moment, Julia made a quiet vow to herself. She would never again cling to this man. And as for that heartless child, she was done
