Chapter 285

When Mamie saw the results, she just stood there, frozen. Her first instinct was to go see Garth right away. But it was still early. Garth was still at school, and if she showed up out of nowhere and tried to take him with her, Scott would definitely get suspicious.

Her mind was all over the place. Scott’s suggestion kept replaying in her head. She pressed her lips together, trying to moisten them, then grabbed her phone and called Scott.

He picked up almost immediately. His deep voice carried through the line, calm and steady. “Hello p>

“Scott, that thing you mentioned before… does it still count?” Her voice came out a little shaky, like she was afraid he wouldn’t remember.

On the other end, Scott went quiet for a moment, probably trying to figure out what she was talking about. Then, in that neutral tone of his, he asked, “What thing p>

He was making her say it. She knew it. Her fingers curled tight around her phone, and she had to take a breath before she spoke. “The thing about us pretending to be a couple. Do you still want to do that p>

Scott was sitting in his car, watching her from a distance through the window. Mamie was wearing a light beige coat, looking just like she always did, as if nothing had changed. He answered simply, “Yeah p>

Mamie finally let out the breath she’d been holding. “Okay. So… can I pick Garth up from school today p>

“Sure,” Scott replied. He didn’t take his eyes off her. “Let’s go together p>

She hesitated, then said, “Send me your location. I’ll pick you up first p>

Mamie considered telling him it wasn’t necessary, but decided to let it go. There was no point in refusing his offer.

“Alright, I’ll send it to you,” she said.

She got back in her car, checked the location Scott sent, and saw it was a mall about thirty kilometers away. What she didn’t realize was that a black sedan had been trailing her this whole time, never too close, just far enough to go unnoticed. Aaron, sitting in the car behind her, glanced at Scott, unsure of what his boss was up to, but he kept his questions to himself. “Scott, where are we heading p>

Scott’s answer came cool and almost amused. “Just follow her p>

Mamie drove fast, her heart racing the whole way. She parked in the mall’s underground lot, then rushed straight to the kids’ section, determined to buy Garth a present. At first, she thought about getting him clothes, but then realized she didn’t even know his size-height, weight, shoe size, she had no clue. Anything he could wear was out of the question.

In the end she settled for a few electronic toys. She was excited to see Garth, but at the same time, the sadness crept in She couldn’t even buy her own son a shirt. What kind of mom was she, really?

sadnessown

She was still lost in thought when Scott’s car pulled up. He got out, looking as composed as ever.

“Scott,” she called.

He glanced at her, his expression cool, but his voice was gentle. “You took the day

off p>

Mamie checked the time and nodded. “Yeah. I had something to do, so I took a little time off p>

He noticed the shopping bag in her hand. “You don’t have to buy him gifts every time p>

Mamie smiled, a little embarrassed. “It’s nothing, just a small present. Really, it wasn’t expensive p>

Scott didn’t push it. They both knew what they were doing, playing the part of a couple for everyone else.

When school let out, Garth spotted not just the driver, but both his dad and Mamie waiting for him. The look on his face was priceless pure, unfiltered joy.

“Dad, are we celebrating my birthday early today?” Garth ran over, eyes wide with hope.

Scott shot him a look, the kind that said, Nice try. “Your birthday’s still three months away. You really think we’d celebrate this early p>

Garth pouted for a second, but it

didn’t last. When Mamie handed him the gift he lit up all over again “Wow, thank you, Mamie! How did this is my favorite p>

Youn

Mamie laughed, her tension easing a little. “Really? I just hoped you’d like it p>

Garth clutched the toy, grinning up at her. “Why did you buy me a present today p>

She bent down, smoothing the collar of his shirt. “No special reason. I just saw it at the store and thought of you p>

Scott watched them, saying nothing. He didn’t have the heart to tell Garth he already had three of the exact same toy at home.