Chapter 11
+25 BONUS
Elara’s gaze froze as she looked at Harvey.
It was unbelievable. It was as if the sun had risen in the west. She had tried countless times to get Harvey to attend the kindergarten’s parent–child activities, yet Harvey always said he was too busy.
Even Ethel had scolded her, telling her not to bother Harvey with such trivial school events. She told Elara that raising and managing everything related to the children was her duty as Mrs. Fisher.
Yet now, Niamh and Harvey were standing in front of her.
“Elara, I brought Harvey with me!” Niamh declared brightly.
Harvey noticed the unfocused look in Elara’s eyes as she stared at him, and he found it amusing.
How could she not love him? The way she looked at him still showed love–he was sure of it.
Harvey sat down next to Elara, with Niamh taking the seat on his other side.
The other wealthy mothers in the room turned their attention to them, already buzzing with interest as though they were watching a drama unfold.
When Beau showcases his project, it’s going to blow your mind!” Niamh leaned in close to Harvey as she said in a low voice. Their heads were nearly touching from behind.
“Taking the day off?” Elara’s voice interrupted, sounding calm but pointed.
Before Harvey could answer, Niamh cut in, “Harvey’s incredibly busy today, but I got him to spare an hour to see Beau’s presentation.”
A faintly sarcastic smile played on Elara’s lips. “I suppose Ms. Niamh certainly has the most influence.”
She had always believed her husband was a perpetually busy man with no time to spare. Now, she realized it wasn’t his schedule it was her insignificance to him.
Soon, the students‘ presentations began.
“There’s Beau!” Niamh pointed excitedly to the stage.
Beau walked onstage while pushing a bright red cardboard box over that was three feet long on a small cart. The box even boasted an eye–catching “Outstanding Work” label.
When he spotted Harvey in the audience, Beau puffed out his chest with pride. Niamh hadn’t lied–she’d really brought his dad to the event with just a word.
Beau’s clear, childlike voice echoed through the auditorium via the microphone. “Today, I’m presenting my space fortress made out of plastic straws. This project was completed with the help of Niamh Jones!”
Niamh crossed her arms while grinning with pride. Beau then opened the box under the audience’s expectant gaze.
But when he looked inside, his expression went blank.
A parent sitting next to Niamh whispered, “Why were you the one helping Mr. Beau with his project?”
Niamh replied nonchalantly, “His mom doesn’t want him anymore, so of course, I had to help him finish it.”
The parent clicked their tongue and muttered, “Your sister is so irresponsible!”
Yet soon, Niamh noticed something odd–Beau remained frozen onstage, and he was staring into the box without
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Chapter 11
moving.
Growing anxious, she called out, “Beau, show everyone your space fortress!”
Beau’s face turned bright red as he shook his head. His eyes brimmed with tears that were ready to spill over.
“What’s wrong with Beau? The speech text is right on the prompter–can’t he read it?‘
Niamh had gone to great lengths to convince workaholic Harvey to attend this event. She was determined to show him how Beau could achieve first place under her guidance.
She wanted Harvey to see that she was a better fit to be Bean’s mother than Elara. Nonetheless, Beau was failing her at the critical moment.
She knew failing wasn’t an option, so she said, “Beau probably doesn’t know how to take the space fortress out of the box. I’ll go help him.”
Niamh quickly stood up with a slap to her thigh.
“Hey! Ma’am, you can’t go onstage!” The teacher tried to maintain order, but it was too late.
Niamh strode confidently onto the stage, and she stepped straight into the camera’s recording frame.
