That morning, Sheena woke up earlier than usual. After cleaning the house, cooking breakfast, and making sure all the housework was done, she returned to her room.
In front of the mirror, Sheena stood for quite a while. She tidied her hair as best as she could, put on a simple outfit, and then picked up a small bag. Today she was determined to attend the charity event at Ghani’s school.
But when she was about to leave her room, she found the door wouldn’t budge.
“Huh? Why is the door locked?” Sheena tried turning the doorknob several times, but it still wouldn’t open.
“Ghani! Open the door, sweetheart. Mommy is ready to go with you,” Sheena called from inside the room.
A small voice came from outside. “I don’t want to! Mommy, don’t come! I want to go with Daddy and Auntie Claudia instead!”
Sheena knocked on the door patiently. “Ghani, listen to Mommy. Mommy still has to come. This is your school event. All parents must be there.”
“No! I’ll be embarrassed if my friends find out you’re my mom. Mommy looks like a clown!” Ghani’s voice grew louder, full of whining.
Sheena let out a long sigh, holding herself back from getting emotional. “Sweetheart, watch your words. Don’t talk like that. Come on, open the door.”
But Ghani’s reply was still harsh. “I don’t want to! I’d rather Auntie Claudia come!”
Sheena closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady her breathing. She knew Ghani was still a child, still easily influenced. She didn’t want to respond with anger.
Finally, Sheena picked up her phone. She called one of the housemaids. “Cece, please come upstairs. My bedroom door is locked from the outside.”
A few minutes later, she heard the sound of a key turning. The door finally opened. But when Sheena stepped out, she didn’t see Ghani.
“Young Madam, Master Ghani and Mr. Gevan have already left,” Cece said carefully.
Sheena frowned. “With whom?”
“With Miss Claudia,” Cece answered softly.
Sheena was silent for a moment. Her heart felt stabbed, but she still nodded. “Alright, thank you, Cece.”
Before she could take a step, Medyna’s voice was heard, “Sheena, you’d better not force yourself. You know Ghani doesn’t want you to come. Don’t embarrass Ghani and Gevan. People will laugh at you.”
Sheena turned, looking straight at her mother-in-law. “You don’t need to worry, Mama. I won’t embarrass Ghani. I’m coming because I am Ghani’s mother. It’s my duty.”
Medyna sneered, folding her arms across her chest. “Mother? That child has already rejected you openly. Aren’t you ashamed? You’ll only be the laughingstock, Sheena. All the guests will compare you to that beautiful Claudia.”
Sheena stood tall, a faint smile on her lips. “If they want to compare, let them. I can’t control what people think. But I will never let Claudia take my role as Ghani’s mother.”
Medyna shook her head slowly. “So stubborn. Don’t blame anyone if you get humiliated later.”
Sheena smiled, then walked toward the door. “It’s fine, Mama. Better I be humiliated than run away from my responsibilities as a mother.”
She walked with steady steps, leaving her mother-in-law’s sneer behind.
“No matter what happens, I am still Ghani’s mother.”
Half an hour later, Sheena arrived at Ghani’s school. The courtyard was already crowded with parents and children. A large banner reading “Charity Day” stretched across the front of the hall. Laughter and chatter filled the morning air.
As Sheena stepped through the gate, several eyes immediately turned toward her. Whispers could be heard, some parents nudged each other and stifled laughter.
Sheena heard it all. Though her heart ached, she took a deep breath and kept walking with a calm smile.
Not only adults, but some children also began pointing at her while laughing.
“Look, there’s a clown auntie!”
“Hahaha, she’s so ugly!”
Sheena lowered her head briefly, then smiled again. It’s okay, Sheena. You came here for Ghani, not for them, she told herself.
Her steps stopped when she saw the small figure she knew so well. Ghani stood not far away, holding Claudia’s hand. His face was bright, full of smiles—something she rarely saw when he was with her.
A genuine smile spread on her lips. Carefully, she walked closer.
“Ghani, sweetheart…” Sheena’s voice was soft when she finally stood before her son. “Mommy’s here.”
But Ghani’s reaction was far from what she hoped. The boy immediately shoved Sheena’s body harshly, making her stumble to the floor.
“Stay away!” Ghani shouted loudly, drawing everyone’s attention.
“You’re not my mom! You’re just a maid in my house! Don’t pretend to be my mommy!”
The room fell silent for a moment. Those words echoed so clearly, piercing Sheena’s heart deeper than any knife.
Sheena froze on the floor, her eyes brimming with tears. I can accept being betrayed by Gevan… but the words from my own child’s mouth hurt even more!
Claudia lowered her head slightly, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Ghani, don’t be so rude… but well, isn’t it true?” she whispered softly, just loud enough for Sheena to hear.
Sheena clenched her teeth, holding back her tears in front of everyone.
Gevan quickly stepped forward. He bent down, extending his hand to help Sheena up. “That’s enough, Sheena. Don’t humiliate yourself. You’d better go home. This place isn’t for you.”
Sheena looked at that hand. For a moment, she felt the urge to rely on her husband again. But she quickly realized he was no longer on her side. Coldly, she brushed his hand away.
“I can get up myself,” she said briefly. She stood slowly, dusting off her clothes.
“Just leave!” Ghani still shouted, his face red. “Don’t embarrass me!”
Claudia smiled sweetly, then bent down to Ghani. “Come on, sweetheart, don’t make a scene. Let’s sit in the front with Daddy, okay?”
Ghani immediately clutched Claudia’s hand with enthusiasm. Gevan walked beside them, his face calm, as if what had just happened meant nothing.
Sheena stood in place, watching the backs of her son and husband as they walked away. It felt as though the whole world was leaving her behind.
But even though her chest was tight, Sheena remained standing tall. Her smile was still on her face, even though her heart was nearly shattered into pieces.
“Are you alright, Auntie?”