CHAPTER 8: My Only Boy

At that moment, Eleanor felt her mind go blank. Blood rushed to her head, and she nearly fainted.

Sebastian noticed something was wrong and reached for her hand, but she pushed him away forcefully.

“Do not touch me!”

“What’s wrong?” Sebastian was confused.

Eleanor’s eyes were red as she held up the photo. “You slept with Claudia, didn’t you? Fine, then I will let you have her. Do not show up in front of me again and disgust me.”

Moments ago, Eleanor had almost softened, but Claudia’s message poured cold water over her.

A flash of guilt crossed Sebastian’s eyes but vanished quickly.

He explained helplessly, “This photo is fake. I never slept with Claudia. Perhaps she sneaked in while I was asleep to take it.”

He sounded sincere, but seeing that Eleanor did not believe him, he added, “I swear to God, if what I said is a lie, then let me…”

“Enough,” Eleanor interrupted.

Sebastian smiled broadly. “Do you believe me? Then come home with me. Let’s not talk about divorce. Both Teddy and I have missed you these past days.”

He reached for her hand again, but Eleanor dodged.

Despite his explanation, the photo still weighed on her mind.

Sebastian’s smile stiffened, and a trace of impatience flashed in his eyes.

Eleanor handed all the balloons and flowers back to him. “We can talk about divorce later. I have things to do now.”

On the way home, Eleanor kept thinking about what had happened. A little boy suddenly ran into her.

“Sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean it,” the boy said timidly.

Eleanor looked down. The boy had big eyes and a chubby baby face, reminding her of Theodore.

She knelt and smiled gently. “It’s okay. Be careful next time, don’t bump into anyone again.”

The boy nodded and ran off, laughing.

Watching his back, Eleanor couldn’t help missing Theodore.

Before Claudia came, Theodore had always been obedient and thoughtful. She remembered when he first learned to walk. She had accidentally fallen, and although Theodore cried loudly in fear, he still tried to help her up.

But the moment Claudia arrived, her sweet and well-behaved Theodore changed.

Thinking of this, Eleanor felt tears well up again.

She silently resolved that her daughter’s death could not be undone, but she would not let Claudia destroy her son.

If she ended up divorcing Sebastian, she would take Theodore with her.

He was still young, and there was still time to correct things.

From that day, Eleanor began painting day and night.

Since she had decided to divorce and take Theodore, she needed money to secure custody from Sebastian.

Even when sick or feverish, Eleanor did not stop. Thinking of Theodore calling her “Mom” with his soft little voice gave her energy.

It was not until Daphne visited and saw Eleanor’s flushed, feverish face that she forced her to rest.

“The exhibition is still two weeks away. You don’t need to push yourself so hard,” Daphne said.

Eleanor apologized. “I took a few private painting commissions, but don’t worry. They will not affect the exhibition schedule.”

Daphne crossed her arms. “Looking at all these paintings, it’s more than a few. Do you have debts? Maybe I can help.”

“Thank you, Daphne. It’s not debts. I want to divorce my husband and fight for custody of my son, so I need to save as much as possible.”

“You still cannot ruin your health. By the way, I have a big commission for you. A friend who owns a gallery loves your painting Towards the Sun. It reminds her of her late daughter. She wants you to paint her daughter, and payment can be negotiated.”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

Eleanor was excited and sat up, only to be pushed back by Daphne.

“Rest for now. Take care of your health first.”

With motivation and rest, Eleanor quickly recovered from her cold.

Once she received the photo of Daphne’s friend’s daughter, Eleanor worked nonstop.

Each stroke of the brush was no longer just a painting but a path of love for Theodore.

After a week of hard work, she finished the last stroke.

She stepped back and looked at the painting: a little girl swinging in a sunflower field under the sunset, smiling brightly. It reminded her of Ivy.

The payment for this painting would be enough to secure Theodore’s future.

Eleanor smiled without realizing it.

She had intended to send the painting right away but noticed the date. Tomorrow was Theodore’s birthday.

The past few days had been so busy she almost forgot.

Eleanor grabbed her car keys and went out to pick up Theodore early to celebrate.

Passing a mall, she bought a toy from Theodore’s favorite brand.

Because she had donated the earnings from Towards the Sun, she did not have much money. The toy cost nearly half her wallet, but seeing Theodore’s future happy expression made it worth it.

At the villa, Theodore was playing in the garden with the nanny. He turned at the sound and saw Eleanor. His eyes lit up.

“Mom!” Theodore ran toward her, but stopped halfway.

He crossed his little arms and pouted. “You said you didn’t want me and Dad. Why are you back?”

Eleanor smiled and shook the toy in her hand. “Teddy, tomorrow is your birthday. This is a gift from Mom.”

Seeing the toy, Theodore happily threw himself into Eleanor’s arms, examining it with fascination.

“Do you want to stay at Mom’s for a few days so we can celebrate your birthday?” Eleanor asked nervously.

Theodore’s grin stretched to his ears, but he still said proudly, “No. Last time I was sick, you didn’t come. You are a mean mom!”

“I’m sorry about last time. It was because of a fight with Dad. I didn’t mean to involve you. Will you forgive me?” Eleanor coaxed gently.

Hearing this, Theodore was delighted.

He wanted Eleanor to fuss over him a little longer, but his body obediently ran to his room to pack.

The noise attracted Claudia.

She had heard Eleanor had come to take Theodore for his birthday. Seeing him happily packing, she thought, Ungrateful child. I’ve cared for you all this time, and the moment your real mom calls, you run like a puppy.

But she kept her gentle demeanor. “Teddy, where are you going?”

“Teddy, I forgot to tell you, I’m going to stay at Mom’s for a few days,” Theodore said happily.

Claudia nodded slowly and sighed. “Teddy, sometimes I really feel for you.”

“Why?”

“You love Eleanor so much, but her eyes only see Ivy. Do you remember the painting she made last time? It was Ivy. Even this exhibition she is preparing is about her daughter,” Claudia said softly, touching Theodore’s cheek.