Redemption in the Shadows
At the filming location of a children’s variety show, I told my husband, Hank Schrader, that I wanted a divorce.
Aside from money and property, I didn’t want anything else.
He sneered, “You’re not even going to fight for the child you worked so hard to raise?”
I replied, “Get as far away as possible,”
Because I already knew that my son had once begged the director, “Can we get a new mom? I want to be on the show with Ms. White, I don’t want that old hag as my mom!”
I smirked coldly. I wouldn’t just divorce him. I’d step over him to climb even higher!
Chapter 1
“I don’t want that old hag as my mom! Dad, what do you even see in her? Ms. White is so much prettier than my mom!”
I clutched my phone so tightly that my fingertips turned white, but I didn’t even notice,
Beneath the video, there was a voice message from Suzanne White,
She spoke with mockery and arrogance. “So what if you had kids with Hank? They still prefer being with me.
“You want to be on the show with him? I’d advise you to stop being a clingy, disgusting pest. Hank will only despise you even more!”
I stood frozen for a moment, then cruelly played the video again.
In it, my son, Alex Schrader, spoke those words, and Hank merely chuckled softly. “Alright.”
Then he looked up with eyes full of warmth and tenderness, gazing directly into the camera. “Then let’s have Suzanne be your mom.”
I paused. It took me a moment to realize that he wasn’t looking at Alex but at Suzanne, who was filming the video.
That tender gaze… I couldn’t even remember when he last looked at me like that.
When he did look at me, it was always with disgust, cold indifference, and disdain.
When they returned home, I was clearing away dishes and cake from the table.
Today was Alex’s birthday. I had started early, spending my whole morning cooking and decorating.
But it wasn’t until I saw Suzanne’s message that I realized they never intended to celebrate with me.
Alex bounded up to me, his tone filled with entitlement. “What are you sitting here for? Can’t you see Dad’s drinking? Go make him some coffee!”
The old me would have jumped up immediately, flustered and obediently attending to his every whim.
But today, I laughed. A bitter, scornful laugh.
“Go ask your mom to do it,” I said.
Alex frowned in confusion. “What’s wrong with you? You are my mom!”
“Can we get a new mom? I want Ms. White to be my mom,” I mimicked sarcastically. “Didn’t you say that yourself?”
Seeing his stunned expression, I swallowed my bitterness and forced a wry smile.
But Hank was angry.
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Adrienne, Alex is just a kid. He doesn’t know any better. Why are you picking fights with him?”
With a disapproving expression, he scolded me, “Can you stop making trouble? Your shouting is giving me a headache.”
Before I could respond, he continued, “There’s a new kids‘ reality show coming up. I don’t think you’re in the right state for it, so let’s leave you
Even though I had braced myself for these words, they still pierced me.
1 blinked, ready to respond, but he cut me off again.
“Besides, he said with certainty, “Alex wasn’t wrong. You can’t do anything right these days. You’re just an old hag. You’d only embarrass me if
you went
Chapter 2
1 lifted my eyes to meet his.
He wore a crisp white shirt that accentuated his tall, lean frame and sharp, chiseled features. His eyes radiated nothing but cold indifference.
Even at thirty, he was still impossibly handsome.
But was I really so much worse?
We had once been a golden couple in the entertainment industry, the perfect match.
Seven years ago, I became the youngest actress ever to win Best Actress, earning both fame and fortune.
Then, I got pregnant.
Hank had gently placed his hand on my belly, filled with concern. “Adrienne, now that you’re pregnant, you should stop filming. It’s too dangerous.
I nodded eagerly, brimming with joy and anticipation for our child.
Then Alex was born prematurely.
He weighed only 4.6 pounds, no bigger than the palm of my hand. A fragile, delicate bundle curled up in an incubator.
Guilt and love overwhelmed me. I postponed my return to acting again, devoting myself entirely to caring for him.
When he first learned to say “Mommy“, he cupped my face in his tiny hands and said, “Mommy, you’re so pretty. You’re the most beautiful mommy in the world”
When had he stopped calling me “Mommy“? When had I become nothing more than an “old hag” to him?
I let out a bitter laugh and shattered their illusions. “The contract for the kids‘ show is already signed. If you don’t want me there, pay the breach of contract fee.”
Time passed quickly, I had just finished drafting the divorce papers when it was time for the show’s recording.
Growing Together was a live–streamed variety show featuring six families.
Besides my family, Suzanne appeared with her niece, Vicky. Singer, Aaron Banks, joined with his younger brother, Jesse Banks. Three other families were ordinary parents and children.
“Hank, you’re finally here!
Suzanne’s tone was sweet and coy as she sauntered toward us, a taunting smile playing on her lips.
She didn’t even need to make an effort. My husband and son would naturally gravitate toward her.
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7:14 PM J
Like a cannonball, Alex hurtled past me, full of joy as he dashed into her arms.
I wasn’t prepared for the sudden shove. I stumbled forward, nearly falling.
When I finally regained my balance and turned around, no one noticed my awkwardness.
Alex clung to Suzanne, chattering happily as he snuggled against her.
Hank stood protectively by their side.
They looked more like a family.
It wasn’t just my own perception, even the online viewers agreed.
Chapter 3
[I think Hank and Suzanne are a better match. They look like a real family. So warm.]
[Alex ran straight to Suzanne. It’s obvious he likes her more. Seems like his taste matches his dad’s.]
[It may be wrong, but I can’t help shipping them, they’re so sweet together!]
Though I had already decided on divorce, ten years of love had left a bitterness in my chest that swelled painfully.
I pulled my gaze away in silence, feeling a pounding headache begin to bloom.
Once all the families had arrived, the mayor of the small town where the show was being filmed finally made his entrance. He announced the first task, choosing houses.
The production team had provided six houses, numbered from one to six. The lower the number, the better the living conditions.
House No. 1 was a charming new two–story home surrounded by blooming flowers, while House No. 6 stood next to a pigsty, teeming with flies and reeking of an odd stench.
I grimaced as I looked at the miserable state of House No. 6, feeling a surge of resistance.
Silently, I swore to myself, “No way would I end up there!”
The order for choosing houses would depend on the results of a cooking competition.
The town mayor beamed and said, “Kids, be sure to help your moms and dads! You’ll be the judges this time.“”
The children’s excited cheers filled the air as the contest began.
Right from the start, trouble arose on my end.
