Chapter 4

Jade's POV

Of course I didn't listen to Damien and take Mason into the water.

I was packing up our things to leave with Mason when Clara somehow appeared.

She held a huge inflatable unicorn, her smile so sweet it was almost blinding.

"Jade, leaving so soon? Mr. Carter specifically asked me to come keep Mason company."

She bent down, trying to take Mason's hand.

Mason warily shrank back, dodging her touch.

Clara's smile stiffened for a moment, then she looked toward Damien in the distance talking with executives, her expression aggrieved.

"Doesn't this child like me? I even brought this unicorn especially for him to play with."

As she spoke, she shoved the giant unicorn toward Mason.

The unicorn was too large and blocked Mason's view directly.

Mason instinctively stepped back, not realizing he was right at the edge of the children's pool.

Though the children's pool wasn't deep, for a child with extreme fear of water, any water was hell.

Mason's foot slipped, and his entire body fell backward into the water.

Splash.

Though the water only came up to Mason's waist, he was already terrified.

The memory of nearly drowning at age three instantly attacked his brain.

He didn't stand up. Instead, he thrashed desperately in the shallow water, arms and legs flailing wildly, as if trying to cough all the air from his lungs.

"Help! Mommy! Help!"

His shrill cries instantly pierced through the noisy crowd.

My head buzzed. I threw down my bag and rushed over like a madwoman, jumping into the water without even removing my shoes.

"Mason! I’m here! Don't be afraid!"

I scooped up Mason, soaking wet and trembling violently, from the water and held him tightly.

He was shaking. Shaking violently.

His face was deathly pale, lips purple, eyes unfocused, only able to repeat.

"Don't let me drown... Don't let me drown..."

It was a stress response.

My heart was breaking. I patted his back, tears streaming uncontrollably.

"It's okay now, it's okay. Mommy's taking you home."

The shore filled with people, everyone pointing and whispering.

"What's wrong with this kid? Water this shallow and he's this scared?"

"Too pampered, right? How will a boy like this manage in the future?"

Clara stood on shore, still holding that unicorn, covering her mouth with an innocent expression.

"Oh my god, I didn't mean to... I just wanted to give him the toy. I didn't expect him to be so timid he couldn't even stand steady."

At this moment, Damien finally pushed through the crowd.

He glanced at Mason, soaking wet and still trembling, his brow furrowing into a line.

But he didn't come comfort the child first, nor did he blame Clara.

Instead, he turned to look at me, his tone full of impatience and disgust.

"Jade Wilson, can you not embarrass yourself in public?"

I looked up sharply, staring at him deadly.

"Embarrassing? Mason is this terrified and all you care about is embarrassment?"

Damien snorted coldly.

"The water's only half a meter deep. He could've just stood up and been fine. All that wailing and carrying on-what does it look like! This is exactly the problem you've spoiled him into having. No resilience at all."

As he spoke, he reached out to pull Clara protectively behind him, still comforting the actual culprit.

"Clara, don't blame yourself. He lost his footing on his own-it has nothing to do with you. You were just being nice trying to play with him."

Clara fell into his embrace right on cue, tears coming instantly.

"Mr. Carter, I was so scared... I didn't expect this child to react so strongly. Should I not have approached him?"

"Of course not."

Damien patted her back.

"He's just too withdrawn. It's not your fault."

Holding Mason who was still convulsing, listening to this conversation that twisted black into white, the last trace of hope I had for this man completely turned to ash.

"Damien Carter."

I called his name.

"You're going to regret this."

Damien looked at me with disdain.

"Regret? Regret what? Regret not throwing this kid in the deep end to practice his courage?"

I didn't engage with him further.

I took off my jacket, wrapped it around Mason, picked him up and turned to leave.

Behind me came Clara's sweet voice.

"Mr. Carter, my legs are weak, I can't walk..."

"Then I'll carry you."

Sounds of teasing rose around us.

Holding Mason, I walked out of the water park step by step.

Mason gradually calmed in my arms, though he kept hiccupping.

He buried his head in the crook of my neck and said quietly.

"Mommy, I don't want daddy anymore."

I answered him softly.

"Okay. We don't want him anymore."

After returning home, Mason developed a high fever that night.

This time was even more severe than the last.

He cried out in his dreams, not wanting to go in the water.

I stayed up with him all night until dawn when the fever finally subsided slightly.

At six in the morning, I took out the divorce agreement I'd printed long ago and signed my name.

Without a moment's hesitation.

At seven, sounds came from the front door.

Damien had returned.

Reeking of alcohol, he'd obviously gone drinking after the team-building ended.

Seeing me sitting on the living room sofa, he paused, then frowned.

"Sitting here first thing in the morning trying to scare people?"

I stood up and placed the signed divorce agreement on the coffee table, pushing it toward him.

"Sign it."

Damien glanced at the document title and scoffed.

He casually tossed his jacket aside, as if he'd heard the biggest joke.

"Jade Wilson, what game are you playing now? Still throwing a tantrum over yesterday?"

I looked at him.

"I'm serious. Mason and I have had enough of this house."