“John,” I interrupted again. I knew what he was going to say. I used to be completely devoted to him and David, giving up a promising career to focus on my family.
“Only young people are that naive,” I said. “A
<
middle–aged, divorced woman like me only
cares about the bottom line.” I raised my glass.
“Mr. Thompson, I look forward to a profitable
partnership.”
12
With a secure supply chain, I quickly
transitioned from dropshipping to managing my
own inventory. The profit margins were higher, and I could recruit my own resellers, expanding
my sales channels and reach. Since the
platform was still new, there were a lot of incentives and support programs. I registered a
company and hired a marketing manager, a
content creator, and customer service
representatives. Life was busy, but fulfilling.
John, however, wasn’t doing so well. The
supplier who sold him the counterfeit goods
had been arrested. He confessed that Melissa
knew about the fake merchandise all along but
had accepted a twenty percent kickback to
く
keep quiet. John went ballistic and slapped
Melissa in front of everyone. She lost her
balance and hit her stomach on the corner of a
table, causing placental abruption. She not only suffered greatly but also lost the baby. I heard
her family had been harassing John at his company, demanding an explanation. He was so scared, he wouldn’t even go to his office.
When Sarah told me about it, her voice was full of glee. “See? Karma’s a bitch.”
I was reviewing my monthly financial reports. “As long as it doesn’t affect our business,” | said calmly.
13
I figured John and I could maintain a purely professional relationship. He clearly didn’t think so. Initially, I dealt with one of his account managers. Lately, John had taken over, using
the excuse of maintaining client relations to try
and get back into my good graces. He even
sent flowers to my house on Valentine’s Day.
It was during David’s winter break. He was the
one who received the flowers. He looked at me
strangely. “Mom, are you seeing someone?”
I walked by and casually pulled out the card
tucked among the roses: “My love for you is
endless, like the moon and flowers.” It was the
same message John had written in the first
bouquet he ever gave me. Except now, the
flowers in our garden had withered, the clouds
had dispersed, and things had changed.
I tossed the flowers and the card into the trash.
David stood there silently for a moment. “Mom,”
he asked, “is Dad trying to get back together
with you?”
I thought about it. It was time to have a serious
talk with him. I sat down on the sofa, pulling
him down beside me. “Honey, you might think
<
I’m being selfish, but your father and I…we
can’t go back to the way things were.”
He squeezed my hand, grinning. “I’m so glad
you feel that way. Remember, you’re your own
person first, then my mom. Nothing is more
important than your own happiness.”
I covered my mouth, fighting back tears.
14
With David’s support, I decided to set things
straight with John. I arranged to meet him at a
restaurant near our house. David insisted on
coming along. I couldn’t say no, so I brought
him with me.
It was the first time I’d initiated contact with
John since the divorce. He seemed to have
made an effort, wearing the shirt and shoes I
had bought him, and holding a bouquet of
roses. He rushed towards us as we entered.
<
“Sarah! David! You’re here!”
David looked him over, a teasing glint in his
eyes. “Wow, Dad, you look rough. When I go
out with Mom, people think she’s my older
sister. If I went out with you, they’d probably
think you were my grandpa.”
John chuckled awkwardly. “Your mom does look
younger and younger.”
David nodded sagely. “See, Dad? That’s what
happens when you take care of yourself. If you
can’t even control yourself, you’ll have regrets.
Isn’t that right, Dad?”
John couldn’t even manage a smile.
David ordered our favorite dishes and sat next
to me, pulling out his phone. I gave him a look,
and he quickly put it away. “I’m not playing
games,” he said with a grin. “Just checking
messages from my teachers.”
