After the divorce, my mother immediately stuck her nose back into my love life. She found a guy. An engineer. Handsome, loaded, and he spent nine months of the year working on remote job sites. His only drawback? A five-year-old son who was allegedly "mentally unstable." My mother asked if I minded being a stepmom. I laughed. Why go through labor when you can just push a button and get a kid instantly? Isn't the government worried about the birth rate anyway? I’ll take that deal. Chapter 1 David Vance was a busy man. We scheduled our first date at a coffee shop right downstairs from his downtown office. He showed up wearing light gray technical workwear. He had sharp, striking features, but a gentle smile. I was shocked. I didn't think my mother had connections to resources this high-quality. Between sips of coffee, he gave me a brief breakdown of his life. Thirty-five years old. High six-figure salary. Field engineer for international infrastructure projects. He was almost always traveling overseas. After the conversation, he made it clear he was interested, but he hesitated before adding a caveat. "I’m not sure if Mrs. Miller told you, but I have a five-year-old son. He’s in kindergarten." I nodded. I understood teenage rebellion, but I couldn't comprehend how a five-year-old could be "mentally unstable." Did David have anger issues? Some hidden, dark vices? I looked him up and down again. His hands were clasped tightly into fists, resting nervously on the table. He offered me a smile that was the definition of painfully earnest and maybe a little slow. He looked like a decent guy. "Can I ask why you and your ex got divorced?" David was silent for a moment. "It wasn't a divorce. I’m a widower. She passed away from an amniotic fluid embolism during childbirth." I froze. My mother had conveniently left that part out. "Because of my job, I was traveling all over the world when he was born. He grew up with his grandparents. When I finally brought him to live with me at age four, he just..." Since we were laying it all on the table, he rubbed his hands together awkwardly, testing the waters. I thought about it for a long time. Finally, I said, "I have a three-year-old daughter. We are a package deal. She has to live with me. I need to know if you can accept that." My daughter, Goldie, is a little Golden Retriever I rescued from a puppy mill bust. I spent eight grand on her surgeries, which started a cold war with my ex-husband. We divorced six months later. David blinked for three seconds. The moment I pulled out a picture of Goldie, he let out a massive sigh of relief. Aside from Goldie, David knew my situation. Thirty years old. A freelance ghostwriter bringing in pennies a month. Practically a hermit. Because of my low income, I’d been living off my mom since the divorce, and she never let me forget it. "Should we swap numbers? Maybe keep talking?" I was satisfied with David. He needed a wife to take care of his son, and I needed his high salary to support my hermit lifestyle. More importantly, I am a total sucker for a pretty face. After we swapped numbers, I immediately Venmoed him my half of the coffee bill. David stared at the notification on his phone for a few seconds, then frowned, hesitating. "If... if you think I’m okay, maybe I could bring you to meet my son sometime soon." "Honestly, he’s only 'unstable' occasionally. Most of the time, when he's quiet, he's actually pretty cute." I didn't say anything. He gritted his teeth and made a final offer. "I’m really impressed with you. If you're willing, I’ll take care of all your existing debt as a gesture of goodwill, and I’ll transfer my paycheck to you every month for the household." "Let's do tomorrow. I have to take Goldie to the vet for a check-up tomorrow afternoon anyway. We can let them meet then." After setting the time, I picked up Goldie from the groomer and went home, giving my mom a brief summary. I truly didn't understand why David got so tense whenever the child was mentioned. A five-year-old. Even if he had a bad temper or was a brat, how "unstable" could he possibly be? "Mom, have you actually seen his son?" My mom scratched her head. "Yeah, I’ve seen him. The kid looks fine. Just as polite as his dad, but quiet. Introverted. Won't talk to anyone." "What are you afraid of with a five-year-old? It's not like he can tear the roof off." The next day, after Goldie's vet appointment, I made a special trip to the mall. I bought some trendy little toys and some gourmet donuts. David picked me up. It was only then I realized he owned a massive, luxury condo right in the city center. Because he was so busy, his son was usually living there all alone. "For the past few years, his mother's parents haven't been in good health, so they couldn't care for him anymore. I have a live-in nanny who comes to cook his meals and manage the house." "What’s his name?" "Leo. His mother picked it." I stopped talking. David parked the car in the underground garage, took the shopping bags from me, and led me inside. "Leo is still young. He might... need a lot of patience. A lot of care." "I came back yesterday and gave the place a deep clean..." Before he could finish, he opened the door and found the living room in absolute chaos. cushions were thrown everywhere, and books were scattered across the floor. Leo was sitting alone on the sofa, stuffing a piece of mashed-up cake into his mouth with his bare hands. "Leo Vance!" David was furious. Leo stared blankly at Goldie for a second, then turned around and sprinted back into his room without a backward glance. David had a massive headache. He apologized to me profusely. Leo had locked his door tight. No matter what David said, he wouldn't open it. It was going to take some time for the nanny to get back and clean up the mess, so I sat on the sofa with David, making small talk. Suddenly, David sighed. "He tells people he can hear cats and dogs talking. He claims a dog 'found a mommy' for him." "But don't worry, I’ve taken him to specialists. The doctors said it shouldn't affect his normal development." Since I talk to Goldie all the time, I didn't instantly think Leo was unstable because of that. He was only five, after all. His dad had brought home a strange woman. Declaring ownership through destruction is standard toddler protocol. Just as I was thinking about how to bridge the gap with Leo, he quietly cracked his bedroom door open an inch. We made eye contact for a second. He looked away, spotted the nanny rushing in to clean, and slammed the door shut again. He was afraid of the nanny. I told the nanny to leave the trash for now and go home early. Then I walked over and knocked on Leo's bedroom door. "The nanny is gone. If you're hungry, come out and eat." After a long silence, he pulled the door open, peeking out to confirm the woman was actually gone before he would step out. Goldie wagged her tail excitedly, panting, and began circling him. He looked uncomfortable, tugging at his clothes, which seemed a bit ill-fitting. Like a little thief, he reached out and touched Goldie on the head. Then, he swiped a donut from the shopping bag and stuffed it into his pocket. The nanny hadn't prepared lunch, so we ordered in from a nice restaurant. "Are you my mommy?" Leo was sitting across from me, and the question came out of nowhere. Goldie was lying next to him and barked twice the moment he spoke. Leo looked up, staring intently at David and me. He had incredibly long eyelashes. His face was flushed, still carrying some chubby baby fat. He looked like a sweet little strawberry shortcake. David was right; Leo was actually pretty cute. "Yes," David answered. "Would you like to live with her?" "Dad is a liar!" Leo's eyes filled with tears, stubborn defiance in his voice. "My mommy died a long time ago!" The atmosphere at the table instantly became tense. I smiled, peeled a shrimp, and placed it on his plate. "I’m not your mommy. You can call me Aunt Maya. Or, if you want, you can call me Mom." "Just like my nanny?" He offered a naive smile, but it looked a little mean. "No. I will live with you. I will discipline you when your dad isn't around. The nanny might not spank you, but I will." His eyes filled with a fresh layer of tears. The very next afternoon, David and I went to City Hall and got our marriage license. Then, he hurriedly helped me move my things into the condo. David had received an overseas assignment from his company two weeks ago, but because this trip was going to be for a long time, he hadn't been able to bring himself to leave Leo alone. That was the only reason he had delayed. "I’m going to be gone for over six months this time. I’m trusting you to take care of Leo. If anything happens, text me. I’ll reply as soon as I can." "Leo might be a handful at kindergarten. I apologize in advance; you'll probably have to listen to the teachers scold you for him." "If he does something wrong and makes you angry, you have my permission to discipline him harshly. Just... don't bruise him." "Video call me if you miss me." At the airport gate, David was micromanaging every detail, giving me endless instructions. I had wanted Leo to take a day off to see him off, but the boy stubbornly refused to come. David’s silhouette grew smaller as he walked down the jet bridge, finally disappearing into the crowd. On the way back, I made a detour to a grocery store. Ever since I noticed Leo was afraid of that nanny, I had David fire her. With no live-in help, I had to cook. Day one of being a mom. To make a good impression on Leo, I drove to pick him up from school. But I saw him lingering at the school gate with his friends, refusing to come out. The other kids were actually circling him, jumping up and down and singing a song. What is this? Why are they playing at the gate? Why are they singing? It's not Leo's birthday. I couldn't take waiting any longer. I got out of the car, walked over, and lifted Leo right out of the crowd. "Sorry, boys, but Leo's mom said he has to come home early for dinner today. He can't play right now." I buckled Leo into the back seat. The loose, floppy seat belt was a joke on him. I forgot to buy a booster seat. Goldie was sniffing all over him, licking his hands, nudging his chin with her head. "What do you want for dinner?" He said nothing. I almost forgot. He didn't seem to like his new stepmom very much. I changed the subject. "I fired the nanny." I secretly watched his reaction in the rearview mirror. He looked up, looking incredibly surprised and happy. But his answer to my previous question was completely nonsensical. "I want lasagna. BBQ ribs. Sweet and sour chicken..." Cold sweat broke out on my back. I had vastly overestimated myself. In the end, I took him out to a diner to solve the dinner problem. Chapter 2 After dinner, we went home. I fed Goldie, and Leo meekly washed his hands and went to his room to look at picture books. Where is this kid 'unstable'? This kid is perfectly normal. I was happy for the peace and quiet. I opened my laptop and started writing. By 9:00 PM, Leo was still playing Sudoku. He had no intention of going to sleep. I took his puzzle away and told him to go take a shower. He gripped his bedroom doorframe tightly, screaming, "I can wash myself! I can wash myself!" I pried his stubborn fingers loose. "Can you actually get yourself clean? You smell like a locker room." He let go in shock, his cheeks puffing out in anger. He looked like a cute little pufferfish. "Liar! I take a shower every single day!" In the end, I forced him into the bathroom. Leo's bathroom had a huge soaking tub. The faucet was set very low, making it easy for him to fill the tub himself. I stripped his clothes off, put him in the tub, and started scrubbing him like I was washing a muddy potato. When I got to his arm, he suddenly started crying out in pain. I thought he was just being dramatic, but when I looked closer, his eyes were filled with tears. That’s when I noticed a massive purple bruise on his right upper arm. I became serious. "How did this happen?" He wouldn't say. I lightly swatted his rear end, feigning fury. "Leo Vance. Speak!" He wailed like a teakettle. "If I wasn't good, the nanny would pinch me. She said I was a charity case that nobody wanted." I was stunned. It was only then that I realized his question, "Just like my nanny?", hadn't been a challenge. It was a test. He was truly afraid that I would abuse him. Regaining my composure, I softened my voice, wrapped him in a giant beach towel, and lifted him out of the tub. "How long was she doing this to you? Why didn't you tell your dad?" I pulled his pajamas onto him, feeling frustrated on his behalf. "You seem plenty talkative with me. Why do you go mute around your father?" "I only see Dad for a little bit. By the time I see him, my owies don't hurt anymore." I pulled the pajama hood over his head. "Don't hurt? Then who was just screaming bloody murder in the bathroom?" "Listen to me. If anyone ever bullies you again, you punch them right back. You understand? I’ve got your back. We don't need to tell your dad." I tucked him into bed, then turned around to fix his closet. What is this kid even wearing? Everything is high-water. "No new clothes." Leo was peeking out from under the covers, his voice muffled. "The nanny took all the new clothes Dad bought me." Motherfucker. Suppressing anger only gives you ulcers. At midnight, I was tossing and turning, unable to sleep, plotting a way to teach her a lesson. But I didn't expect that before I could go looking for her, she would come right to me. The teacher called. Leo had gotten into a fight at kindergarten. I peeled into the parking lot. When I got there, that old witch was sitting on the floor, screaming and crying, putting on a full performance. I pulled Leo behind me, knelt down, and checked him over multiple times. I only found a tiny scratch on his face from another kid's fingernail, and I let out a sigh of relief. "You're this little brat's parent! Look at what he did to my precious grandson!" I bent down and pointed to the child, who was covered in bruises and had a black eye. I asked Leo, "Did you do this?" He wouldn't answer. "Leo Vance! Look up at me when I’m talking to you!" He meekly looked up, his hands twisting nervously in front of his chest, muttering softly, "I did it." "He started it. He said I was an orphan with no mommy. I got mad." I patted his head and praised him. "Good. Good job." The teacher looked like she had just swallowed a fly. "Leo's mom, it's one thing for the children to not know better, but you are an adult." The nanny screamed, "Just an apology? My grandson is beaten like this and all you want is an apology? She has to pay!" "Leo didn't do anything wrong. I’m standing right here. Since when does Leo not have a mom?" I turned around and smiled at the nanny, who was still wailing on the floor. "Funny you should mention money. I just realized some cash is missing from my desk drawer. I was just about to come find you." She shivered, tightening her jaw in defiance. "What are you talking about?" "It doesn't matter if you admit it. The security cameras in the house saw everything." She scrambled to her feet, glaring at me viciously. "I don't care! Your son beat my grandson, and you’re going to pay. If you don't, I’ll make you sorry!" Her face twisted into a smug smile of certainty. "I know your man isn't in the country right now." I tightened my fists, ready to throw hands. But the teacher grabbed my wrist. "Do not get emotional. An apology will solve this. His father is... he’s powerful. Not someone you want to make an enemy of." Just as she finished speaking, a voice came from the doorway. "Who? Who is bullying my son?" Rex’s father was only five-foot-seven, but he was built like a brick shithouse. Standing there, he looked like a retaining wall. His eyes darted to Leo behind me. "This is the little brat who bullied my son?" I shoved Leo behind the teacher. In a low voice, I said, "Call the cops." At that moment, I was incredibly grateful that after being sexually harassed by a former boss, I had taken Sanda and Muay Thai classes. That training was the only reason I was able to hold my own until the police arrived. I turned over all the video footage of the nanny stealing from the condo to the officers. The nanny was held in custody for seven days for theft. I also paid the medical bills to settle the fight between Leo and Rex. On the drive home, Leo didn't say a word. But that night, while he was eating noodles, he suddenly burst out crying and started apologizing. I pulled out a tissue, looking disgusted, and wiped his eyes. "Why are you crying like this? If your dad saw this, he’d think I was abusing you." He climbed onto a kitchen chair, cupped my face in his hands, his face a mess of tears and snot. "Does it hurt? I’ll make it better." I pulled him down and hugged him, patting his back. "It doesn't hurt anymore." "Leo, I want to praise you. You did a good job today." "If someone bullies you, you can hit back, or you can report them. If your father were here today, he would have made the same choice I did." "I just want you to know, no matter what happens, your dad and I are always your strongest supporters. Do you understand?" He cried again. How can a child have this many tears? At least Goldie was good; her broad shoulders were always available for me to wipe my tears on. I sighed, helplessly patting his back. "Baby, let's eat first, okay?" After dinner, Leo played with blocks for a bit before getting sleepy. I handled the clothes stripping, tub tossing, the whole routine. By now, bathing Leo was an art form. I was washing that potato with silky-smooth efficiency. He let me pull his clean, new pajamas onto him. Goldie wagged her tail and circled his bed. Ever since we moved in, Goldie didn't sleep with me anymore. She was obsessed with Leo. I was annoyed, but I was also glad he had Goldie to keep him company. He wasn't unstable. He was just too lonely. He desperately wanted his dad to spend more time with him. I woke up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water. That’s when I realized the little brat had somehow ended up in my bed. He was sleeping on top of the covers in his new dinosaur pajamas. Goldie was lying at his feet, using her stomach to keep them warm. My eye twitched. I lifted the covers and tucked him in. He mumbled something and snuggled into my arms, whispering a single word. Of course, the little brat woke up with a fever the next morning. And not just him. Goldie, who had spent the night warming his feet, was sick too. I called the school to excuse him and immediately rushed both the kid and the dog to the vet. Goldie had to stay at the animal hospital for two days for observation. I drove Leo home first. On the way back, he suddenly yelled for me to stop the car. He scrambled out of his booster seat with immense effort. He crouched next to a dumpster and looked up at me. "She looks pregnant. Can we take her home?" I touched his red, frozen nose and his cold cheeks. I smiled. "Of course." I took off my jacket, and together, we rushed the pregnant tabby cat to the pet hospital. Leo asked me, "Why can't we bring her home? She won't fight with Goldie." "The doctor needs to check if she and the babies are healthy. I’ll bring you back on Saturday to pick her and Goldie up, okay?" He nodded solemnly. Because of this, he was distracted and anxious for two solid days. Early Saturday morning, he was burrowing around under my covers, refusing to let me sleep until I woke up. Left with no other choice, I braved the morning cold to take him to pick up the zoo. Goldie hadn't seen me in days and was furiously enthusiastic, jumping all over me. Leo, on the other hand, was entirely focused on the pregnant cat. One minute he was feeding her a cat treat, the next he was petting her belly. Goldie got so jealous she was whining and circling around the apartment.
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