Chapter 14 I Want Mommy to Feed Me

Emily practically bolted back to her room. It wasn't until she got there that her heart finally started to chill out a bit.

She leaned against the door, taking a few deep breaths, trying to get a grip. But the recent scene was like a tattoo on her brain, impossible to shake off. Closing her eyes, she could almost feel James's warm breath, whispering softly in her ear. Her hand, the one that had just touched James, still felt hot. If she had stayed a little longer, she might've ended up kissing him.

Even though they were divorced, the way James looked at her just now was more intense than when they were together, making her almost believe he still had feelings for her.

But that was crazy. Maybe she was just overthinking it.

Emily tried hard to push these thoughts out of her mind. James was Olivia's boyfriend now. No matter what, she couldn't do anything to hurt anyone. They were divorced, they shouldn't be so close. She wouldn't be the other woman.

But after all, it was James, the guy she had loved for so many years. Emily sighed, feeling a wave of endless sadness. She walked to the window, drew the curtains, and flopped onto the bed.

She and James were done. The good and bad memories were all in the past. Now, they were just Michael's parents, nothing more.

She turned over, burying her head in the pillow. The beautiful times they once had flashed before her eyes, but it was like they were covered by a thin veil, becoming blurry and unclear. Instead, what she saw was the complex emotions flickering in James's deep eyes.

The next morning, the four of them sat around the dining table, the atmosphere kinda awkward. Olivia and James sat on one side, Emily on the other, with Michael's small chair in the middle.

Today, Michael was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt with a hood, paired with overalls, and his overalls had a big pocket.

Emily had bought the clothes before. She liked to dress Michael cutely. She even got herself similar clothes and wear them today, with a hat that had a cute little bunny. Michael originally didn't like such cute clothes, but seeing Emily dressed similarly, his reluctance faded into a joyful acceptance.

During breakfast, Olivia finally found a chance to show her attentiveness. She helped James pour milk, made cereal for Michael, and fetched bread. Emily also wanted to help, but after being politely refused by Olivia, she realized that this was no longer something a guest like her should do.

The nanny on the side, Harper Anderson, looked at them with a hint of resentment. First, Emily cooked at home every day, and then Olivia also liked to show off in the kitchen. If this kept up, the nanny would probably lose her job.

"Olivia, you don't need to keep busy. We have Harper and the others; you don't have to work so hard." James finally couldn't stand it anymore and pulled Olivia to sit quietly back in her chair.

Even so, Olivia didn't back down. She picked up Michael's small bowl, smiling brightly. "Michael, how about I feed you?"

Michael pouted, wrinkled his nose, turned his little face away, and tugged at Emily's clothes, speaking in his sweet childlike voice, "No, I want Mommy to feed me."

He didn't want this annoying Olivia to feed him. Just because she was his dad's girlfriend didn't mean he had to accept her.

The disdain on Michael's face was more than obvious as Olivia's hand froze in mid-air, her smile a bit forced.

"Olivia, Michael is just used to relying on me. Don't mind him. Besides, he's grown up now and can eat by himself." Hearing Michael's words, Emily quickly stood up to explain.

"It's okay." Olivia forced down her inner embarrassment, waved her hand, and squeezed out a smile. "After more time together, he'll come around."

Olivia's understanding demeanor made Emily feel relieved. She was worried that Michael's words would make Olivia hold a grudge and treat Michael poorly after she left. It seemed that Emily was overthinking.

"Michael, don't talk to Olivia like that." James patted Olivia's back soothingly. Facing Michael's stubborn gaze, he was at a loss and helpless. Michael's temper was getting worse, and no one knew who he inherited it from.

"No, I want Mommy to feed me. If Mommy doesn't feed me, I'll go hungry this morning. If I go hungry, I'll get sick, and then Daddy and Mommy will be worried. Doesn't Mommy like Michael anymore?" Michael pretended to cover his face and cry, but his round eyes peeked through his fingers at the others.

James almost laughed in exasperation at these words and helplessly turned to Emily. "Emily, just feed him. He has to go to kindergarten soon, so he can't dawdle any longer."

Emily had no choice but to tie a small bib around Michael. Michael was becoming more and more impolite. He used to be such a well-behaved child.

Emily patted Michael's head. "Michael, you have to be good at school and listen to the teachers, okay?"

"Got it, Mommy. Michael will be good." Michael took small bites of his food, glaring challengingly at Olivia.  He wanted to make this annoying Olivia back off. In this house, only Emily could stay by James's side. Michael didn't want Olivia to eat with them.

Olivia was infuriated by Michael's look, but James didn't see it, so she bit into her bread angrily.

When facing the others, Olivia's smile became even brighter, as if nothing had affected her. She leaned close to James, looking affectionate.

Olivia had just returned and couldn't yet compete with Michael for James's affection, but in time, she believed she would have the final say in this household.

The summer sunlight made the house warm and cozy. James's gaze fell on the intimate interaction between Emily and Michael, their matching outfits amplifying their deep bond, and he couldn't help but smile.

Seeing it clearly, Olivia bit her lip, feeling a bit stifled.