The Unveiled Rose

I couldn't even begin to think about the other two anymore.

The video slowly stopped, finally freezing on Nigel's little face.

His eyes were closed, and his tiny hands gripped tightly. He looked focused and serious as he made a wish over a giant birthday cake.

I could hear his young, earnest voice.

"I wish Luna could be my mom."

"I wish the four of us could be together forever!"

Applause erupted.

Luna and her kid joined in, clapping and saying they hoped his dream would come true.

Leander also wore a smile at that moment.

They looked just like a happy family.

But then...

What about me?

I felt a pain so acute I could barely breathe.

The group's "Mom," Luna, had sent another voice message.

Her voice was bubbly and cheerful, like Nigel's supportive big sister.

"Sweetie, you told me before that you wished I could be your mom, And that anyone would be better than your mom. It got me wondering, why do you dislike your mom so much?"

"Then I realized it's because she's too controlling, doesn't let you eat what you want, doesn't let you play."

"Just to make you happy, I'll be your new mom in this group from now on. This group will be a safe space for the four of us."

Is that so?

Anyone could be his mom but me.

As long as I'm not his mom, that's fine, right?

That's what he said, word by word.

I tortured myself by listening over and over again, but I still couldn't believe it, my own child, whom I taught and nurtured...

The child I devoted all my energy to, could hate me like this.

I closed my eyes, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

Nigel has had a sensitive stomach since he was little. A little bit of the wrong food would cause him to have a stomachache. He was hospitalized a few times for gastroenteritis when he was very young. So, I've always been strict with his diet, carefully preparing meals every day, just hoping to improve his health...

But all my efforts for him, according to Nigel, had turned into instances where I hurt him.

No wonder Nigel's gastroenteritis started acting up again recently.

I had become frantic but couldn't find the reason, and this was the truth.

I numbly listened to the voice messages Nigel had sent before.

Every accusation was like a dagger to my heart.

It nearly suffocated me.

Then, suddenly, Nigel stopped recording his voice message.

I knew it was because I had come into his room to put him to bed.

He couldn't let me know he was still sneakily using the tablet. Even though he wanted to keep chatting with Luna in the group, he had to comply with me. Now, he was asleep.

I bit my lip, tears streaming down as I looked at him.

He was so delicate, like a porcelain doll.

He spoke without guile, simply expressing whatever he felt.

But...

Lies don't hurt; the truth hurts like a dagger to the heart.

As his mother, I always thought that even if I was a bit strict, he might find it annoying now, but when he grows up, he'll understand I did it for his own good. However, I never imagined he could hate me this deeply.

I couldn't contain my sadness and anger.

But I hadn't lost all reason. I understood...

Nigel was still just a child, like a blank slate, not knowing or understanding anything.

But for him to resent me and like Luna...

The only possibility could be because of my husband, Leander.