The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 112: Mom Is Only Ian’s Mom

Nathan Lynch didn’t understand the conflicts between adults. He just lowered his eyes, tears streaming down his face, completely absorbed in the pain of losing his toy rabbit.

It wasn’t just about the toy rabbit; what his stepmom had said also hurt him terribly. He didn’t want to be someone that nobody liked.

Naomi Kenway was visibly moved. Ian hadn’t cried in a long time, but the suppressed, childish sobs from his dreams always wrapped around her like vines. Every time she recalled them, her chest would tighten until she could barely breathe.

Looking at Nathan, Naomi Kenway seemed to see the shadow of another small child. A flicker of panic went through her, and she pulled Ian a little tighter into her embrace.

With her other hand, she took a handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped Nathan Lynch’s cheeks. "Nathan, please don’t cry, okay?"

Her gentle voice was filled with sympathy, like a feather that could soothe the sorrow in his heart. It was a tone Nathan Lynch had only ever heard from his own mother.

He snapped his head up and blinked. He quickly realized the person in front of him wasn’t his mother, and his face fell again.

Still, he couldn’t bring himself to look away, and he even forgot that he was crying.

"Nathan, Auntie knows you’re very sad, but the production team has its rules, doesn’t it? All the other children have handed over their toys and are ready to compete. Nathan has always been such a good boy. Auntie believes you can do it too, right?"

Naomi Kenway’s gaze was gentle and focused. She affectionately patted Nathan Lynch’s cheek and smiled. "It’s no good for such a handsome face to be stained with tears. After the shoot ends in three days, how about Auntie goes with you to get your toy back, okay?"

Her gentle voice was persuasive, and Nathan Lynch felt as if he were soaking in a warm spring, enveloped by a mother’s love. Aunt Kenway was just so much like his own mother that he simply couldn’t find it in him to refuse.

He slowly nodded. "Okay."

[Naomi Kenway is so gentle. It must be wonderful to be her child!]

[She’s merciless when she’s calling people out, but she’s so soft-spoken with kids. Naomi Kenway has this contradictory yet charming vibe. I’m officially a huge fan!]

[This just goes to show that you need to communicate properly. Kids these days are rebellious; sometimes, the harsher you are, the less they listen. Corporal punishment just doesn’t work.]

[Hmph, how can you deal with a tough brat if you don’t discipline them? Sometimes they need a spanking. But people like Renee Jennings, who don’t seem to care about the kid at all, are unacceptable. I certainly don’t see how pinching him was for his own good.]

...

Even after Nathan Lynch returned to her side, Renee Jennings was in disbelief. ’Did Naomi Kenway really solve the problem with just a few words?’

Renee Jennings eyed Naomi Kenway with suspicion. If she hadn’t been absolutely certain that Nathan had no contact with Naomi during that time, she would have suspected Naomi of instigating his tantrum.

Naomi Kenway, however, couldn’t be bothered to deal with Renee Jennings anymore. She had noticed Ian seemed to be in a bit of a mood. Picking him up, Naomi pressed her forehead against his. "What’s wrong, sweetheart?"

Ian Shaw wrapped his arms around Naomi Kenway’s neck, rubbing his soft cheek against her clothes. His voice was like the plaintive whimper of a small animal. "Mommy is Ian’s mommy only. Ian’s mommy only. Don’t... don’t share with anyone else, okay...?"

A long-term lack of affection had left his emotions in a barren state. His mother’s sudden love was like an unexpected rain shower. He was at once too excited to know how to react and deeply anxious.

His mother’s kindness toward Nathan terrified him. He was afraid someone would steal away this hard-won maternal love.

Naomi Kenway hadn’t expected Ian to be so sensitive. She immediately comforted and reassured him, "Mommy won’t be shared with anyone else. Mommy is Ian’s and Ian’s alone. Ian is Mommy’s one and only precious baby."

Ian Shaw looked up, his big, watery eyes still brimming with tears. "Really?"

"Of course." Naomi Kenway’s own eyes began to sting. She reached out, wiped away Ian’s tears, and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Ian, you are the one part of Mommy’s life that I could never give up."

[I’m going to cry my eyes out. The first thing Naomi did wasn’t to teach Ian to be generous and share, but to reassure him that his mom loves only him.]

[I’m not a big fan of Naomi Kenway, but that’s how a mother should act. Not like Renee Jennings, who just blames the kid when things go wrong. Stepmoms, I guess...]

[Ian is so sensitive. But being an extrovert has its perks, and being an introvert has its own charm. Sweetie Ian, please don’t cry. It breaks this big sis’s heart to see you.]

...

Ruby Preston cleared her throat. "Rachel, did you see that? It’s better to communicate properly with your child instead of getting so worked up."

Renee Jennings immediately tried to appear weak. "You’re right, Hazel. I’ve just been in a bad mood from staying up late tutoring Nathan with his schoolwork. I’ve been feeling a bit unsteady on my feet the past two days."

Ruby Preston latched onto another point. "Staying up late to tutor him? Isn’t Nathan only in kindergarten? Do they really have that much homework these days?"

"Since you’re often away from home, you naturally wouldn’t know how competitive things are for kids these days. A moment of carelessness, and they’ll be left in the dust by others. Now that I’m Nathan’s mother, I can’t just let him fall behind."

The comment was casual, but it struck a chord. Ruby Preston felt a pang of guilt, thinking about how she often neglected Simon Sawyer while she was away filming.

Ruby Preston called out, "Son?"

Simon Sawyer looked up. "Is something wrong?"

A sudden sadness welled up in Ruby Preston’s heart. Simon Sawyer was precocious and very independent. ’Maybe he doesn’t even need me as his mother anymore...’

Nathan Lynch had composed himself, and Renee Jennings hoisted him onto her back.

Naomi Kenway returned to her spot and got Ian Shaw onto her back, her hands firmly supporting his bottom as if she were carrying a precious treasure. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

A whistle blew, and all the guests charged forward.

Renee Jennings shot forward like an arrow released from a bow. Nathan Lynch clung to her neck in fear. "Mommy, I’m scared!"

Choked by his tight grip on her neck, Renee Jennings reached up to loosen Nathan Lynch’s hold, and her pace slowed a bit.

Naomi Kenway set off at a jog. Ian, perched on her back, excitedly pumped his arms in the air. "Go! We’re going to be number one!"

He then leaned down and planted a kiss on Naomi Kenway’s hair. "Mommy is the best!"

A smile involuntarily touched Naomi Kenway’s lips.

When they reached the large tree, Naomi Kenway said, "Ian, grab the colored balls!"

Ian Shaw stretched out his hand, straining for the colored balls. Afraid he couldn’t reach, Naomi rose onto her tiptoes. "Can you get them, Ian?"

"I can!"

Ian Shaw’s hands were so small he needed both of them just to hold a single ball, which would make transporting them far too slow. But Ian had a flash of inspiration. He wedged two colored balls between his body and Naomi Kenway’s back, then stretched his arms wide to hold all three.

Naomi Kenway felt the pressure on her back. The balls weren’t small, and she grew a little worried. "Ian, make sure you hold on tight to Mommy."