Jenifer's POV
I shook my head and flashed Natalia a comforting smile. "It's nothing."
My eyes drifted back to Romano, and concern washed over me. In just a short while, Romano's frame had grown noticeably rounder.
I hadn't been there, and this was Reed's idea of proper care?
Romano suffered from a congenital heart condition, and the extra weight would only stress his heart further. Could Reed really be so negligent with his son's wellbeing?
Without thinking, I felt drawn to approach them.
Just as I was about to move forward, I spotted Lorelei with her phone, Romano beaming as he wrapped his arms around her neck in an intimate embrace. The tender scene cut through me like a blade. The memory of Romano's disgusted expression from the day of the medical procedure flashed through my mind, and a sharp ache pierced my chest.
My hand instinctively pressed against my heart.
After several moments, I let out a hollow laugh and turned away.
Natalia caught my strange reaction and glanced toward where I'd been staring, but found nothing unusual.
Before she could voice her concern, I spoke up. "We should head to our seats, Natalia."
Natalia didn't push for answers and quickly followed me to our assigned spots.
Evening descended, the fireworks display was set to commence, and the audience began to swell.
I found myself seated not far from Reed, my gaze occasionally wandering to Romano. Lorelei had disappeared somewhere, and Reed remained glued to his phone, flashing occasional smiles. Romano sat by himself, absorbed in studying firework designs.
——
**Reed's POV**
"Mr. Gould, the individual you requested we locate remains untraceable. It's possible they've left the city entirely," the private investigator's voice crackled through my phone.
This marked another private detective I had enlisted, and the report remained unchanged—Jenifer had vanished completely, as though she'd never existed at all.
I ended the call and dialed the contact labeled "wife" in my phone.
"The number you have dialed is no longer in service."
The automated message delivered its cold response, and my expression showed traces of weariness and irritation.
For quite some time, I'd been hunting for Jenifer. The single time I'd managed to reach her was during that brief conversation, but since then, she'd left no trail. I found it impossible to believe—how could someone disappear so thoroughly? No hotel reservations, no travel records, no spending activity. I refused to accept that she would abandon me and our son.
Despite not taking her to the fireworks festival, I'd promised to compensate with an elaborate New Year's celebration. Why was she still holding a grudge?
"Look out!"
A recognizable cry jolted me from my thoughts.
I spun toward the voice and discovered Jenifer anxiously cradling Romano, her expression filled with worry as she examined him for injuries.
"Romano, are you injured? Tell me if anything hurts?"
When Romano encountered Jenifer's anxious stare, he appeared stunned and whispered, "Mommy?"
——
**Jenifer's POV**
After such a long time without contact, I hadn't anticipated Reed would spot me here. He immediately set his phone aside and strode over.
"Jenifer, do you find this disappearing act entertaining? Are you aware of the chaos you've caused at home recently? Don't you understand a mother's duties? You've abandoned Romano and me for so long. Even if you're upset, you shouldn't neglect Romano this way." Reed seized my wrist, his knuckles white from the pressure.
Romano also seemed to collect himself and regarded me with contempt.
"Mommy, you've let me down completely. Even if you dislike Lorelei, you can't just vanish and abandon Dad and me. You're only making me despise you more."
The pain shooting through my wrist brought me back to reality. I struggled against Reed's hold, my forehead creasing with frustration.
Hearing their blame, I massaged my throbbing wrist.
During my extended absence, neither had wondered about my welfare or whether I'd faced any troubles. Instead, they demanded explanations for my departure.
I released a bitter laugh. Maybe because I'd grown completely disillusioned with both of them, my heart didn't ache as severely as before.
Stepping backward, I scoffed, "Reed, who's actually been neglecting Romano? If I hadn't caught Romano moments ago, he would've tumbled from the bleachers. As his father, is this your version of responsibility?"
Reed's complexion drained of color. He recognized his earlier inattention to Romano, but only because he'd been consumed with locating me.
When he remained silent, I taunted him further, "Reed, regardless of how intensely you adore Lorelei, Romano remains your flesh and blood. Even if you're infatuated with her, Romano carries your DNA."
Recalling how Reed had abandoned Romano while being preoccupied with Lorelei, my rage ignited once more.
"There's nothing romantic between Lorelei and me. Our connection is completely platonic. Why do you persist in being envious of her?"
Reed believed I had misinterpreted his relationship with Lorelei, which explained my disappearance. His tolerance was wearing thin, and mild annoyance flickered across his features.
Romano, processing Reed's statement, naturally concluded that my extended vanishing act stemmed from my dislike of Lorelei.
He inflated his cheeks, his face radiating fury as he declared, "Mommy, why won't you just accept Lorelei? She's more caring and pleasant than you. Why can't you model yourself after her? Why must you argue with Dad?"
I gave them both an icy stare. One was the man I'd cherished for years, the other was the son I'd desperately delivered and tenderly raised for so long. These two most precious people in my life were now condemning and misunderstanding me, all for another woman who meant nothing to me.
It was genuinely absurd.
"If you're so fond of Lorelei, then address her as 'Mommy' and exclude Jenifer from the equation," Natalia's voice suddenly emerged from behind me. She stood there, her eyes coldly assessing the father and son before us. She viewed Reed with obvious contempt and Romano with a more conflicted expression.
She'd overheard their entire exchange.
She couldn't fathom what I saw in this ungrateful man. Not only was his character questionable, but he'd now influenced my son to behave similarly.
She genuinely pitied me.
"Who are you? Why do you interfere in what I say to my mommy, you old hag?"
An indignant Romano puffed his cheeks, making his face appear even more swollen. He no longer seemed endearing, just unpleasant.
"Romano, who taught you such language?" I sharply reprimanded Romano for his rude words.
I'd never imagined that in such a short time, Romano would transform into such a disrespectful, ill-mannered child.
"Reed, is this your teaching?" I glared at Reed, my eyes brimming with disappointment.
Though Reed hadn't directly taught him such language, his preoccupation with work and searching for me had allowed Romano to develop this behavior. Reed acknowledged some accountability for it.
Recognizing this, Reed couldn't meet my eyes.
After a pause, he looked at me again and stated, "Aren't you planning to divorce me? Then Romano is no longer your concern."