Chapter 6 Are You the Other Woman?
Theo stood by as Edmund said, “Theo, wait here for me for a moment.”
Understanding that Edmund needed to administer first aid to Lillian, Theo obediently nodded. Shortly after Edmund left, whispers from a nearby dining table reached Theo’s ears.
“James, look at this little guy. Despite being younger than you, he can defend his mother and drive away the other woman. You should learn from him and not be scared when you see that evil woman, okay?”
Hearing this, Theo turned to look and saw a woman in her thirties dining with a seven- or eight-year-old boy at the next table.
The boy named James nodded vigorously.
Seeing Theo looking over, James hopped off his chair and approached Theo, “Hey kid, you’re so cool. Can you teach me how to drive away the other woman?”
Theo was puzzled. “The other woman?”
James thought Theo didn’t understand, so he earnestly began to explain, “It’s someone who breaks up Mom and Dad’s relationship, commonly known as the other woman. They can cause parents to divorce and make Mom sad. These women are wicked people!” James exclaimed angrily, “Lately, a bad woman has been bothering my dad. But…”
James’s expression turned sad. “But I don’t know how to drive her away and protect my mom.”
He looked up at Theo with admiration. “Kid, you were wonderful just now. You drove that other woman away with just a few words and got your dad and mom back together. Can you teach me how to do that?”
Theo was still a bit lost. “Mom and Dad got back together?” But wasn’t it Mom who left first?
Seeing Theo’s confusion, James asked, “Didn’t you just drive that other woman away with a few words? And didn’t your dad just carry your mom away?”
Mom? So he mistook Madam Lillian for my mom?
At that moment, James’s mom came over. She patted Theo on the head, praising, “Kid, you really did good, standing so firmly on your mom’s side. Not like my James, who was bribed with a candy by that bad woman.”
James sheepishly scratched his head, whispering, “Mom always stops me from eating candy. I just couldn’t resist.”
“I stop you from eating candy because she doesn’t want you to spoil your teeth. When you’re grown up, you can eat as much candy as you want, and I won’t say a word.”
James hugged his mother’s arm, cooing, “I know I was wrong. Mom is just looking out for me. Please don’t be mad anymore.”
“Almost got sold by that woman before finally realizing how good I am.”
James chuckled, “Hehe, better late than never!”
Although his mother voiced complaints, the tenderness and warmth in her eyes were unmistakable. Half an hour later, Edmund and Lillian returned.
Lillian said helplessly, “Eddy, I’m really fine, just a little low blood sugar… No need for the hospital.”
Edmund looked serious. “You’ve been fainting more often lately; better to check at the hospital to avoid complications.”
Lillian’s expression stiffened slightly. Lately, she had indeed been summoning Edmund more often to show Vivienne a lesson.
Lillian said, “I’m fine. It’s getting late, and Theo hasn’t eaten yet. Let’s eat first. I can go to the hospital tomorrow.”
As they walked back to Theo, they chatted idly. Soon, they reached Theo’s side.
Theo sat alone at a table, gazing out the window with an unprecedented look of confusion.
Edmund, however, failed to notice Theo’s unusual demeanor and approached him.
“Lillian isn’t feeling well. I want to take her to the hospital first. We’ll have dinner after the hospital.”
Edmund’s tone was mild but firm, each word carrying an air of authority.
Edmund seemed aloof, but deep down, he was very assertive.
His decisions were usually unchangeable. Normally, Theo would agree without hesitation. But today, for some reason, he thought of Vivienne.
Until today, Vivienne had always prepared meals on time. Theo needed regular meals due to his weak constitution.
Occasionally, when they were out with Lillian and it was mealtime, Vivienne would let him have some snacks first to tide him over.
Vivienne specially prepared those snacks for him because he had a unique constitution.
Although Vivienne’s cooking was good, eating the same thing often could get tedious.
The variety of food outside was dizzying, and gradually, he grew tired of Vivienne’s dishes.
Lillian’s gentle voice interrupted Theo’s thoughts. “Eddy, Theo isn’t well. Let’s let him eat something first.”
Edmund’s voice was cold. “Your health is more important than Theo’s.”
Blushing, Lillian didn’t resist any further but looked down at Theo.
“Theo, how about we buy a slice of strawberry cake for you to eat on the way?”
Strawberry cake was Theo’s favorite. Normally, he would have leapt with delight, but today, he merely nodded slightly.
“Okay.”
Lillian thought Theo was acting a bit strange today but didn’t think much of it.
After ordering a slice of strawberry cake to go, she took Theo by the hand and they left the restaurant.
On the way to the hospital, Lillian sat in the passenger seat, frequently turning back to remind Theo to be careful eating the cake.
“If I didn’t get motion sickness, I would sit with Theo in the back so I could look after him.”
Even with Vivienne around, Lillian always sat in the front seat.
The reason was her motion sickness; it was easier for her in the front.
Holding the cake, Theo suddenly remembered James’s mom saying that not allowing sugar was for James’s good.
Suddenly, Theo asked, “Madam Lillian, are you the other woman?”
Lillian was stunned, almost thinking she had misheard.
“What?”
Theo looked up and repeated earnestly, “Madam Lillian, are you the other woman?”
Lillian never expected Theo to suddenly ask such a question.
The term “other woman” was highly offensive to any woman. Her expression froze, and it took her a long time to recover.
“Theo!” Edmund’s voice was stern and displeased. “Do you even know what you are saying? Where are your manners?”
Lillian regained her composure and hurriedly said, “Eddy, don’t blame Theo. He’s just a child. He doesn’t know much.”
She paused, her voice tinged with sorrow. “I know Vivienne has never liked me. But however much she dislikes me, she shouldn’t involve Theo. Adult issues shouldn’t involve children. After all, he’s still so young…”
