The voice seemed to be calling toward the restroom.
Stella’s eyes widened in surprise.
It was Justin. He had come looking for her.
After she had been gone for some time and the food had already been served, he went out to find her. Before leaving, he instructed Bryce to stay put.
Bryce nodded obediently, but the moment Justin was out of sight, his demeanor shifted. His face darkened, and he pulled out his phone.
After a brief moment of thought, Bryce sent a text. Not long after, his phone rang. His eyes grew wide with surprise as he glanced in the direction Justin had just gone. He cautiously answered the call, making sure Justin wouldn’t return.
“Mom…” Bryce’s voice came out soft and pitiful.
At first, Tina didn’t catch the sadness in Bryce’s voice; the room was too noisy. But as she listened more closely, she immediately understood. Grabbing her phone, she signaled for the people around her to give her space and stepped out to the balcony.
“What’s the matter?” she asked gently.
Bryce hesitated before replying, his voice sounding even more fragile. “Are you busy now, Mom?”
Tina’s heart softened at his words. “No matter how busy I am, you’re more important. What’s wrong? You sounded sad just now.”
Bryce’s voice wavered, and his tone shifted, becoming more nasal. “Today’s my birthday…”
Tina froze, confused. “Why didn’t you come with Dad to pick me up? I don’t want to celebrate it with that woman…”
His disappointment was palpable.
“What woman?” she asked, a little thrown off.
Bryce, still unsure of his mother’s tone, nodded. “Dad brought that woman to my birthday celebration.”
Tina’s eyes widened. “Your father brought her here to celebrate your birthday?”
Bryce nodded again but seemed oblivious to the weight of his words. “They don’t even know it’s my birthday. They just brought me here to dinner to introduce me to her.”
Tina’s heart sank. Her mind raced.
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t upset.
“That man!” she hissed under her breath, furrowing her brow. “He never knows when to stop.”
The last time, he had ended up in the hospital because of that woman. And now, he had even brought her to meet Bryce. How could he not have discussed this with her beforehand?
She glanced at her watch. Her office was calling her attention.
Her colleague gave her a questioning look, and Tina forced a smile. “I have some things to handle. I’ll celebrate your birthday when I’m not so busy, okay? Call me after you’ve finished dinner with them.”
Bryce hesitated, clearly not wanting to accept, but eventually gave in. “Alright, Mom. Have a good day at work.”
Tina sighed, her voice softening. “Send me your location later.”
After hanging up, she returned to her office. As a lawyer, she had a particularly tricky case in her hands, and the chances of working overtime that night were high.
Her colleague, noticing the shift in her mood, raised an eyebrow. “Who called you?” he asked casually.
Tina shook her head and replied, “It was my son.”
“Why? Did something happen at school? You seem upset.”
“Nonsense,” Tina replied, lightly punching him on the shoulder.
Her colleague smiled, and the two resumed discussing the case.
Tina paused for a moment before speaking again, her voice more serious this time. “We still have a week, right?”
Her colleague, sensing something was off, asked, “Did something happen at home?”
“I think I should go take a look. I’ll be uneasy if I don’t,” Tina admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed.
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