The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 58: Jeanette Kensington

He was silent for a few seconds before refusing her. "I have an important contract to sign."

"What contract could possibly be more important than our son?!" Naomi couldn’t hold back her anger. "As Annie’s father, you’ve never attended a single parent-child event. Don’t you think that’s a complete failure on your part? What do you think he wants? Do you really think those expensive gifts you bring back are what he actually needs?"

"I went to pick Annie up one time and saw the other kids excluding him. Do you know why?"

Ethan Shaw didn’t answer. Naomi took a deep breath. "Because we’re never there, the other kids at his preschool treat Annie like a ’wild child,’ an ’outcast’! He’s quiet and has no friends—haven’t you ever wondered why?!"

Naomi’s emotions calmed somewhat. "I know I’ve failed as a mother. The things I’ve done are infinitely worse than just neglecting him... but I realize I was wrong now. I’m changing, and I’m trying my best to make it up to him. I hope you’ll join me in being there for Annie, so he can have a happy, healthy childhood like any other kid."

The line went dead silent; she couldn’t even hear him breathing.

"Ethan Shaw, are you listening?"

To her surprise, a reply came. "I’m here."

"I’ll think carefully about what you’ve said."

’Does that mean yes or no?’ Naomi wanted to press him for an answer, but she realized he had already hung up.

Naomi furiously ended the call. "Damn you, Ethan Shaw!"

*

Ethan Shaw’s gaze lingered on Naomi Kenway’s name on his contacts screen. He stared at it for a long moment, his thoughts a chaotic mess.

’He was always busy with work, but he made sure to spend any free time he had with Ian Shaw. Every time he returned from a business trip, he brought his son his favorite toys and snacks. And yet, Naomi said he was failing in his duties...?’

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Ethan Shaw looked up toward his office door, his tone cold with irritation. "Come in."

Liam Sherman walked in, holding a stack of documents. "President Shaw, here is the proposal from the finance department."

Liam Sherman turned to leave but was stopped by Ethan Shaw.

"Wait. Come here."

Ethan Shaw remembered that Liam Sherman had a daughter, two years older than Annie.

"How is Janine doing? She’s in elementary school now, isn’t she?"

Liam Sherman couldn’t understand why Ethan Shaw was asking about his daughter, but he was flattered nonetheless. "Janine is in first grade now."

After he answered, he noticed Ethan Shaw had gone quiet. He glanced up and saw his boss massaging his temples, a troubled look on his face.

"President Shaw, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Tell me, what does it really mean to be good to your kids?"

Liam Sherman frowned. "Good to your kids? I don’t think there’s one right answer. For me, it just means playing with her, having fun together, and buying her the princess dresses she loves!"

"I bring my son gifts every time I get back from a business trip. Is that love?"

"Of course that’s love."

Ethan Shaw’s brow smoothed, but then he heard Liam continue, "But I think the most important thing is spending time with them. Material things alone aren’t enough for a child to grow up healthy. I have a cousin who was busy with construction work a few years back, so he was away more than he was home. When he went back for the holidays this year, his kid didn’t even recognize him. Hid from him and wouldn’t let him hold him."

Ethan Shaw’s brow furrowed instantly.

"I see. You can go now."

"Yes, sir." Liam Sherman walked out of the office.

Ethan Shaw pulled up a photo of Ian Shaw again. He gazed down at it for a long time before wearily closing his eyes.

*

In preparation for the next day’s parent-child event, Naomi took her son to the mall to buy clothes after picking him up from school.

Ian Shaw held Naomi’s hand, chattering all the way about what he had learned in school that day.

"And did my little sweetie learn it all?"

Annie proudly puffed out his chest. "Annie was number one! And Teacher Hilton said Annie is super smart!"

"Oh my gosh, Mommy’s little boy is so brilliant!"

Praised by Naomi, Ian Shaw shyly lowered his head. "It wasn’t that amazing..."

They walked into a boutique. Naomi loved shopping for clothes and had long been one of the store’s super VIPs.

A sales associate saw her walk in, her face beaming with enthusiasm. "Ms. Kenway, we haven’t seen you in so long! We have a lot of new arrivals, and we’ve set some aside just for you. Let me show you so you can try them on."

Naomi nodded.

"Wow, what a cute little boy! Is he yours?"

"My son, Annie."

"Hello there, Annie."

Ian Shaw was always a little reserved around strangers, but he still managed a hello.

Naomi scanned the racks of clothes. "Actually, I’m here today to buy matching parent-child outfits. Could you show me some recommendations?"

"Of course. Please follow me."

’Naomi was sick of seeing little boys’ suits. She didn’t like her son looking like a miniature adult at such a young age; kids should be full of life.’

Keeping in mind the games they would be playing the next day, they ended up picking out a few relatively casual sets. Naomi’s favorite was a yellow T-shirt set; Annie’s version even had a little tail on the back that looked absolutely adorable.

Naomi couldn’t resist planting several kisses on Ian Shaw’s cheeks, making his face turn bright red.

"You’re just too cute! Sweetie, let Mommy give you one more kiss!"

"Mommy..." Ian Shaw was a little shy, but he obediently offered up his soft little cheek.

After the kiss, Naomi took several photos of Ian Shaw to capture the moment.

Finally, with a grand wave of her hand, she declared, "We’ll take these. Please bag up all of these sets for me!"

It was still early after they finished shopping for clothes, so Naomi took Annie for another stroll through the mall. They ran into a few of her fans, and Naomi greeted each of them with Annie by her side.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead. A crowd of people with cameras were filming nonstop, and others were shouting. It was the kind of scene that usually surrounded a big celebrity.

Naomi had no intention of getting any closer and prepared to take her son on a detour to the elevators on the other side.

"Jeanette Kensington! Jeanette, look over here!"

Hearing the name, Naomi’s steps faltered for a moment before she continued walking.

"Nicole!" a gentle voice called out.

A hand fell on Naomi’s shoulder, forcing her to turn around.

Jeanette Kensington was impeccably dressed, and a faint, elegant perfume wafted from her. She had a gentle smile on her face. "Nicole, it’s been so long. I heard you’ve been busy. Since we’ve run into each other, let’s go catch up at a nearby café."

Naomi refused outright. "I’m busy."

"It won’t take long. I’ve just missed you so much, Nicole." Her hand remained on Naomi’s shoulder.

The frenzied fans behind Jeanette Kensington rushed over, practically surrounding them.

"Mommy..." Ian Shaw, who had never witnessed such a scene, clung tightly to Naomi.

Naomi took a step back and picked up Ian Shaw. She glanced at the surrounding crowd, her voice laced with disgust. "So, from the looks of it, you’re not going to let me leave unless I agree to ’catch up’ with you?"