[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260313F01E2B-64":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},64,5,"Chapter 5: The Shattered Glass and the Unspoken Truth","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I hurled my glass at Sebastian's mother's feet, shattering it into a million pieces.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Unworthy? And who are you to judge?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My outburst shocked everyone into silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Enough! How dare you speak to my mother like that? Have you completely lost your mind?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian bellowed, lunging forward and shoving me aside.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't hit Mommy!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Selena, bless her heart, darted forward, pushing Sebastian back and shielding me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian stared at his daughter, dumbfounded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I quickly pulled Selena behind me, my eyes blazing, bloodshot and fixed on Sebastian.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That's right, I've lost my damn mind!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I spun back to face his mother, my fury reignited.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Valentina takes Sebastian to physical therapy once, and suddenly she's the thoughtful, considerate daughter-in-law material you've always wanted.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Meanwhile, I personally gave him eye massages for ten years. Ten years! I sacrificed my career, my ambitions, my dreams for him, and in the end, I'm the shrew you see before you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I turned back to Sebastian, my voice laced with venom. \"Sebastian, what am I to you? Some kind of glorified nanny for the Walker family?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He couldn't meet my gaze, his eyes skittering away like frightened mice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His mother pressed her advantage, her voice dripping with disdain. \"Isn't that your role? Anything you’ve done, a hired nanny could have done better.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Besides, you're completely negligent with Selena. You're utterly unfit to be a mother.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mommy is a good mommy!\" Selena wailed, hugging my leg and glaring up at Sebastian's mother.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His mother pounced on it. \"See? This is your doing. You've spoiled her rotten, letting her become so disrespectful, daring to yell at me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Suddenly, it wasn't Valentina's supposed shortcomings anymore, but my own indulgence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And my daughter was defending me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian chimed in, \"You really should learn how to be a better mother.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I offered him a withering smirk. \"Learn from your mother, you mean?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian opened his mouth to retort but froze, a sudden flicker of realization crossing his face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina, however, seized the moment, fawning with feigned admiration. \"Of course! Auntie raised Sebastian so brilliantly. He's a Fortune 500 CEO! Her parenting methods are legendary.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian's mother preened, and the sycophants around them chimed in with their flattery.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I scanned the room, a sneer twisting my lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They all saw the polished, successful Sebastian. They'd conveniently forgotten the rebellious, self-destructive fool he once was.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I turned my gaze, dripping with mockery, back to Sebastian. \"Sebastian, do you honestly think your mother is a good mother?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A ripple of laughter went through the crowd, mistaking my question for sheer lunacy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But Sebastian's reaction silenced them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He looked from his mother to me, his eyes wavering, a battle raging within him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian was protecting his mother, alright.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But that fleeting hesitation, that barely perceptible pause, hung heavy in the air, a silent accusation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing her mother's face darken, Valentina, ever the opportunist, stirred the pot. \"In front of everyone, you're still trying to drive a wedge between Sebastian and his aunt. Who knows what lies you spread behind their backs!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His mother's expression turned venomous. \"Sebastian is my flesh and blood. Everyone knows how devoted I am to him. His success today is all thanks to me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina, ever eager to please, chimed in, \"Auntie, if you share your secret methods for raising Sebastian, I'll use them to guide Selena. We'll raise her to be a strong woman, just like all the Walker children should be.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian's face contorted. \"No!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina backtracked smoothly, \"Oh, right. It's even better if Auntie teaches her personally. That's the only way Selena will truly reach her potential.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian’s voice was firm, unyielding. \"Selena cannot be raised by Mom!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina blinked, utterly bewildered. The entire room fell silent, stunned.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What do you mean, 'cannot be raised by Auntie'?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian’s patience snapped. \"It means no, and that’s final! No explanation needed!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His mother, enraged, demanded an answer.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian stood there, mute. I, however, had no such qualms.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Because,\" I stated calmly, \"she's not a fit mother.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian whirled on me, his voice sharp. \"Shut up!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He wanted me to stop, but I wasn't about to let them off the hook.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Make me shut up? So Selena can end up reliving your childhood?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian's tone softened, a desperate plea entering his voice. \"Please, just stop talking.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I looked at him, a cold resolve settling over me. \"From now on, our daughter's upbringing is my responsibility.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian nodded, a look of weary surrender on his face, about to agree when his mother cut in, her voice a shrill shriek.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No! You wretched woman, what scheme are you cooking up now!\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272924735]