No More Mrs. Carnegie

"I hate Mommy! I don't want her at the sports day!"

On the noisy kindergarten playground, Holden Carnegie clung to his father Archibald Carnegie, crying hysterically. Not far away, Vivienne Branpia watched the scene unfold, a sudden sharp pain stabbing through her chest.

Last night, her son had acted strangely, telling her not to come pick him up from school today. Worried he was being bullied, Vivienne had rushed over early to check on him—only to stumble upon the school sports day.

She watched her own son cling tightly to a beautiful woman, his face full of disgust. "Mommy dresses so frumpy—I'm so embarrassed! Only Auntie is pretty and gentle. I want Auntie to do sports day with me!"

Vivienne looked up at Allegra Mellon—elegant, poised, impeccably dressed—then down at her own plain, modest clothes. Her eyes filled with loneliness.

She'd once been the dazzling heiress of the prestigious Branpia family, gifted and full of potential as a designer. But after marriage, her son had been frail and sickly, her husband consumed by his career. She'd willingly given up a brilliant future, devoted herself to homemaking, and poured everything into her family. Years of heartfelt sacrifice—and this was what she'd earned: public scorn from her own son.

Vivienne instinctively turned to the tall, handsome Archibald. Seven years ago, she'd fallen for him, given up everything for love, and willingly become a full-time housewife. Now she desperately hoped he'd say something fair on her behalf. But she got nothing.

Archibald showed no sign of scolding his son. Instead, he gently put his arm around Allegra's shoulders and walked toward Vivienne impatiently. "Just go home. Holden's happy for once. Don't ruin it."

Allegra stepped forward with a soft, gracious smile. "You must be Archibald's wife. I'm Allegra Mellon. I just returned from France."

Vivienne immediately recognized her. She was Archibald's adoptive sister—the daughter of his mother's close friend. After her parents died, the Carnegie family took her in. The two had been in love years ago, but the family had forcibly separated them and sent Allegra abroad. They'd been out of contact ever since.

"Kids don't know any better. Don't take it personally. I'll talk to him for you," Allegra said, feigning concern.

Her own son—and another woman was offering to discipline him. The irony was suffocating. Vivienne's voice turned cold. "No need to trouble yourself, Ms. Mellon. He's my son. I'll handle it."

Allegra froze, then tugged pitifully at Archibald's sleeve. "Archie, did I overstep? Maybe I should just leave."

"Don't go!" Holden burst into tears and charged forward, shoving Vivienne hard.

Caught off guard, Vivienne stumbled and fell heavily to the ground, pain shooting through her body.

Archibald watched coldly, making no move to help. He looked down at her with icy reproach. "Have you caused enough trouble? Allegra kindly stepped in for you, and this is how you act?"

Vivienne braced herself against the ground and stood shakily, her voice trembling. "No one ever told me about the sports day."

"So it's our fault?" Archibald's expression grew even colder. "You need to reflect on why Holden would rather have Allegra with him than you. Have you done your duty as a mother?"

Seven years of sacrifice, everything given—and all she got in return was her husband's harsh judgment and bias. Vivienne's heart turned to ice. All that remained was bitter self-mockery.

"Vivienne, maybe you should go. Don't embarrass Holden in front of everyone," Allegra added softly, her words dripping with condescension.

Vivienne's heart died completely. She should have noticed weeks ago—her son constantly praising the gentle, beautiful aunt, her husband's fond smile whenever Allegra's name came up. Her place had long been quietly stolen.

"Fine. I'll go."

The moment she turned away, Holden's gleeful cheer rang out behind her. "Yay! Mommy's finally gone! Now I can do sports day with Auntie!"

Vivienne's nose stung. Hot tears instantly flooded her eyes. She stopped by the teacher's office to say goodbye. The teacher apologized profusely, but when Vivienne glanced at the sports day poster on the wall, it clearly stated: Requires both Mom and Dad to participate.

A dull, crushing pain spread through her heart. She spoke quietly. "From now on, you don't need to notify me about Holden's matters anymore."

As she walked out the school gates, cheers erupted behind her. She turned back. On the podium, Holden held up a medal. Allegra and Archibald stood on either side of him, gently kissing his cheeks. The three of them, embracing, looked like the picture of a perfect, happy family.

Vivienne couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears streamed down her face. She walked numbly back to the Carnegie villa and opened the closet. It was full of her husband's and son's clothes. Only a few worn pieces belonged to her. Sorrow filled her heart.

Years ago, the Carnegie family had been far beneath the Branpia family. Her parents had vehemently opposed the marriage. But she'd insisted on marrying down, pouring all her family's resources into building up the obscure Carnegie Group, pushing it into the market and securing its place among the elite. She'd gambled everything to protect a home. And she'd lost it all.

Vivienne packed her things and left a signed divorce agreement neatly on the dresser. Just as she reached the top of the stairs, Holden's bright voice floated up from below. "Auntie's the best! She takes me for fried chicken and buys me toys! Not like Mommy—she just makes me eat gross vegetables!"

She'd carefully planned his meals to strengthen his frail body, cut out junk food—and in his eyes, it had all been wrong.

The next moment, Holden's soft, hopeful voice completely shattered her last remaining hope. "Auntie, when no one's around... can I call you Mommy?"