Chapter 289: Gemma’s Birthday – Chaos Ensues
“You’ve never been this aggressive before.”
“You always spoke softly to Ali.”
“Gemma, you can argue with me, you can hate me – but Ali is your son.”
Marcus’s voice cracked.
He’d known saying these words would hurt.
But the gap between the woman he married and the cold, unyielding Ms. Kelestine before him felt like a knife in his chest.
Gemma finally looked up.
“Do you really want to lecture me while I’m trying to talk to my kid?”
Marcus stammered.
He wasn’t sure.
He wanted her to be the same
–
the wife who’d laugh at his jokes, the mother who’d comfort Ali after nightmares.
Not this remote, unapproachable figure.
Gemma shot him a glare, and turned to Alijah.
“Ali, what’s your
answer?”
The boy trembled, clearly terrified.
Gemma sighed.
“Kids can’t solve this themselves. Adults have to step in.”
Marcus stepped forward, shielding Ali behind his arms.
“You speak for Noah?”
His voice rasped, like sandpaper on wood.
He was barely holding it together, and yet, Gemma still twisted the knife.
Gemma’s smile didn’t waver.
“Yes. I represent Noah.”
Noah immediately grinned, hugging her neck.
“Thank you, Grandma!”
Gemma patted his back.
“You’re welcome.”
Marcus snorted. “This whole thing? It’s ridiculous, What are you gonna do–call the cops?”
“Five–year–olds don’t get arrested,” he said calmly.
“You’re making a big deal out of nothing.”
She turned back to Ali.
Ignoring him, Gemma gently set Noah down and crouched to his level.
“Noah, you handled this well. I’m proud of you.”
“When something’s unfair, you speak up. You stand up for yourself.”
“And you were kind. Even after what happened, all you wanted was an apology.”
“But since you didn’t get one, as an adult, I have to make sure you do.”
Her meaning was crystal clear.
If a kid wouldn’t apologize willingly, he’d apologize another way.
One way or another.
It was going to happen.
Alijah froze.
He’d heard this before.
Gemma had done the same for him once–forcing kids to apologize when they hurt him.
Even back when the Wilson family ignored her, when she had no one on her side.
All she had was her fierce love for her child.
Setting
12:30
Chapter 289 Gemma’s Birthday – Chaos Ensues
She used to protect him with everything she had.
So why was she different now?
“If I apologize.”
He choked out, his voice trembling.
His eyes widened.
“If I go back to how I used to be… will you still like me?”
Gemma held his gaze.
“I never said I stopped liking you. But you don’t need my approval to exist.”
“You get to choose who you are, Ali.”
Alijah’s world shook.
“I… I can still choose?”
Gemma nodded firmly.
“Noah.”
Alijah took a deep breath, then stood up straighter, his eyes steady.
I’m sorry. I didn’t actually see you cheat. I just thought there was no way someone your age could be that good, so I accused you on purpose.”
“I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
His voice was sincere.
“If you’re still mad, you can hit me a few times. I won’t fight back.”
Marcus stiffened.
He gripped Alijah’s shoulders.
“You don’t have to be scared of them. I won’t let you be wrongfully accused!”
Alijah shook his head.
“Dad, I really did mess up.”
Marcus clenched his jaw. “…Fine.”
Noah walked over, nodding. “Alright, Alijah. I forgive you. But if this happens again, I will beat you up.”
A few months ago, Alijah would’ve snapped. He would’ve fought back in an instant.
But now, he just swallowed it down.
“I get it.”
He looked at Noah, no resentment in his eyes.
Finally satisfied, Noah turned back and wrapped himself around Gemma’s arm.
“Gemma, I’m good now! Let’s go!”
Gemma nodded.
It was over. No reason to stay.
But just as she turned to leave, Marcus stepped in front of her.
“You still haven’t answered me. Back at the archery range.”
Gemma raised a brow. “You really didn’t notice how the conversation kept jumping around?”
Marcus hesitated. ‘So you were dodging the question on purpose?”
“I wasn’t dodging. It’s just not worth my time. Marcus, we’re done.”
Her voice was calm, like she was stating a simple fact.
Marcus still refused to believe it. “Gemma, I wasn’t attacking you–I just think the kids-
“This has nothing to do with them, Marcus. You still won’t face your own mistakes. That’s why you’ll never understand me.”
“It’s better if we don’t see each other. No point in making both of us miserable.”
And with that, she picked up Noah and walked away.
As they left, Noah suddenly turned and grinned.
“Oh, and by the way,” he called over his shoulder. “Today’s Gemma’s birthday! If it weren’t, I wouldn’t have let you off so easy!”
Marcus, already furious, suddenly went cold.
Birthday?
Gemma’s birthday?
Setting
12.31
Chapter 289 Gemma’s Birthday – Chaos Encues
It hit him like a punch to the gut.
He had been with Gemma for years, and he never once knew when her birthday wae.
She never mentioned it. Never expected anything.
But every year, without fail, she had remembered his and Ali’s.
Always prepared something special.
Always made it thoughtful, unique.
Every Single Time
“Dad… is it really Mom’s birthday?”
Alijah stood there, stunned. After a long silence, he looked up at Marcus.
That’s when he saw it. The wound.
“Dad… what’s wrong? Did someone hurt you?”
Marcus shook his head. “I’m fine. But we need to get your mom a birthday gift.”
Alijah’s face lit up.
Then dimmed just as fast.
“But I don’t know what she likes.” He turned to his father. “Dad, do you know?”
And for once, Marcus had no answ
answer.
Swating
