Chapter 346
There was no eye contact or physical interaction between us. When he asked questions, I answered briefly, keeping the conversation flat and minimal.
During the meal, I kept my head tilted toward Billy, giving him my full attention, occasionally serving him food and looking after him. deliberately avoided any eye contact with Henry.
Several times, I could sense that Henry wanted me to apologize to him, but with Billy present, he kept quiet.
Some conversations were better left for another time–though I had no intention of there ever being a “next time.”
Billy was completely oblivious to the tension between us, thoroughly enjoying his meal.
When he finished his main course, the little boy patted his round belly and asked for dessert. “Mommy, can I have just a little bit more? The desserts here are so yummy!”
I glanced at his distended stomach and firmly refused. “Billy, look at how round your belly is! If you eat any more, you’ll get indigestion. You don’t want a stomachache, do you?”
Billy had always had a sensitive stomach–better to deny him extra food than to let him suffer later. When I refused, Billy’s face fell dramatically, and he begged pitifully: “Just one bite? Please, Mommy? I really, really want some.”
I was about to refuse again when Henry suddenly interrupted: “If the kid wants to eat, let him eat! What’s the big deal? It’s not like we can’t
afford it!”
From his perspective, the child just wanted a small taste of dessert–nothing worth making a fuss about.
He probably thought I was being unreasonably stingy.
Henry ordered another dessert for Billy, who was immediately won over by this act of generosity. “Thank you, Daddy! You’re the best!” Despite his gratitude, Billy still looked nervous in my presence. Though the dessert sat right in front of him, he only took tiny bites, afraid to dig in.
Seeing Billy’s hesitation, Henry encouraged him: “It’s fine, eat as much as you want. Don’t hold back.” When Billy still seemed reluctant, Henry turned to me. “The boy is growing. What’s wrong with him having an extra bite? Or are you so poor you can’t even feed your child properly?”
I felt extremely uncomfortable with his comment.
I desperately wanted to argue with Henry or simply leave, but seeing Billy watching me, I restrained myself.
For six years, I had raised this child alone. I knew exactly what Billy should and shouldn’t eat. Henry had been absent for six years, and now suddenly he was playing the role of the devoted father? Ridiculous!
Seeing the mockery in Henry’s eyes, I took a deep breath, suppressed my anger, and said quietly: “Billy has a sensitive stomach. Eating too much will cause indigestion and give him stomach pain.”
Had Henry ever taken care of the child for even one day?
A man who had never raised a child was now telling me how to parent? How ironic.
Henry watched Billy eagerly digging into his dessert and dismissed my concerns: ‘He looks perfectly fine to me.”
I didn’t bother responding further. There was no point arguing with such a stubborn man..
Taking my silence as surrender, Henry continued encouraging Billy: “Take your time, nobody’s going to steal it from you. If you want more, order another one.” Seeing I remained silent, Billy threw caution to the wind and ate with gusto.
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Chapter 346
However, just as he was down to the last few bites, Billy suddenly put down his spoon and clutched his stomach. Daddy, my tummy hurts.
Henry’s handsome face instantly flushed with embarrassment. He quickly reached out to rub the little boy’s stomach. “Is this where it hurts? Let Daddy rub it for you. But as Henry’s hand approached Billy’s belly, he hesitated. The child’s stomach was alarmingly distended, round like a watermelon.
His hand hovered uncertainly in the air, afraid of causing more pain.
Billy was clearly in considerable discomfort, his breathing rapid, slumped in his chair without energy, his little face pale.
Henry tentatively placed his hand on the child’s belly, trying to massage it gently, but Billy winced. “Daddy, you’re making it worse!” “Daddy, my tummy really hurts.”
Completely at a loss, Henry looked to me with pleading eyes: “What do we do?”
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