Chapter 247 No Manners
“Renee! Is this how you’re raising your child? He’s still just a kid! Keep this up, and you’ll ruin him!”
Esme’s voice was sharp with frustration.
Renee met her glare with an unreadable expression, too drained to argue.
From the moment she found out she was pregnant, she had faced everything alone–carrying Felix, giving birth, and raising him without support. The morning sickness had left her bedridden, so severe she’d nearly ended the pregnancy. Labor had also been brutal, the pain unbearable. She had blacked out before even holding her son in her arms. She had endured it all. Every struggle. Every breakdown. Every moment of doubt. And she had survived.
No one had the right to criticize her for not being a good mother, not Esme or anyone else.
If it weren’t for them, neither she nor William would be stuck in this mess.
“Felix, let’s go!” Renee didn’t even glance at Esme. She scooped Felix up and
headed for the door.
“Don’t you dare!” Eric shouted, fury in his voice.
Renee paused, her gaze steady and calm, unfazed.
Eric stood tall, his voice cold and commanding. “Renee, put the child down.”
Renee couldn’t help but feel a strange twist in her chest. Something about his tone didn’t sit right.
Why did they always feel the need to boss her around? When had she ever been someone to just take orders?
She met Eric’s gaze, unwavering. He’d always looked down on her, and she wasn’t about to waste her time showing him any respect now.
“Since this child is William’s flesh and blood, it’s only right for him to stay here with us,” Eric continued, his voice dripping with entitlement. “You can visit him whenever you want, or even take him back to your place for a few days every month, considering you’ve been raising him all these years.”
Renee couldn’t help but laugh, a sharp sound that didn’t even seem like
– laughter.
Wait. Did they think really they could decide Felix’s custody just like that? Did they honestly think they could just decide Felix’s future like that? Did they really believe she was still the same person they could walk all over?
“Mr. Mitchell, maybe I wasn’t clear before, or maybe you just didn’t take me seriously. Let me make it simple. Felix is my child. I brought him into this world and raised him on my own. He belongs to me–only me! He has nothing to do with you or William. So don’t even think about taking him from me!” She took a sharp breath before continuing, her voice cutting through the tension. “At first, I thought it might be good for Felix to see you more, to be showered by love from his family. But given your attitude, I don’t think that’s necessary anymore. Some family ties are better left behind. Better none than bad.”
“You-” Eric’s voice wavered with anger, his fists trembling at his sides.
Renee didn’t care. She had already given them more than enough respect. But they didn’t deserve it.
If that was how it was going to be, then they couldn’t blame her for being
harsh.
“Renee! Felix doesn’t need a mother like you! You have no manners, no decency! Give me the child!”
Esme, fuming with rage, lunged to grab Felix from Renee’s arms. But she failed miserably.
With one swift motion, Renee stepped aside, easily avoiding Esme’s grab.
The tension between the two adults had escalated, and Felix, terrified, began to cry..
“Mommy… Mommy… don’t bully my mommy… I’m scared…” His voice. cracked, a sob escaping him.
Hearing Felix’s cries, Renee felt a sharp pang in her chest, like a knife twisting through her.
The sound caught Esme’s and Eric’s attention. Despite everything, they truly cared for Felix–he was their first grandchild, after all.
“Felix, my dear, don’t be scared,” Esme said, her voice softening. “We were just playing, really! Don’t be afraid…”
Even Eric’s voice, usually so stern, lost some of its edge.
“Don’t cry, Felix! You come from a long line of soldiers! Crying makes you look weak! Be a good boy and tell me what you want–Grandpa will buy
anything for you.”
