Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“Not to mention, your position as the top socialite would also be at risk if this secret were to be exposed!”
As Sharon processed Edith’s words, it felt like a thunderbolt had struck her mind.
She hadn’t anticipated Edith being so well-informed, especially since she had only let the truth slip while intoxicated. It was astonishing how thoroughly Edith had delved into the matter.
It became apparent that Edith had been coveting the Barrett family’s fortune for some time.
With a cautious air, Sharon shifted her gaze toward Timothy, her demeanor no longer marked by arrogance but instead revealing a trace of unease.
“Tim, please don’t entertain this woman’s unfounded claims! She’s solely interested in the Barrett family’s wealth, which is why she’s attempting to sow discord between us. You are unquestionably my child and the sole heir of the Barrett family.”
“Enough, Sharon. There’s no need to keep pretending. I’ve pieced it all together. Timothy isn’t your biological son; he’s the love child from your husband’s affair.
“Your husband orchestrated the switch, planning for you to raise his mistress’ child and eventually bring her into your home. But who could have anticipated her untimely death?”
Suddenly, Sharon lunged at Edith, raining down a barrage of blows. “Shut up! What nonsense are you spewing? Do you want me to rip out your tongue for good?”
In that tense moment, Sharon felt the chilling grip of fear creeping up her spine.
Mia watched as Sharon and Edith grappled with each other, her eyes involuntarily shifting toward Timothy nearby.
He had thought this secret was securely guarded, shared solely between himself and Laura. However, Sharon’s evident awareness of the situation took him by surprise. Indeed, this revelation should have been a crushing blow to Timothy.
Nonetheless, he remained remarkably composed and stoic, showing no visible signs of distress at the unfolding chaos.
Turning to Mia and the children, Timothy calmly directed, “Take the kids and wait in the private lounge. I’ll handle things here and join you shortly.”
Mia hesitated, unable to articulate her thoughts in front of Ginger and Sage.
After a brief pause, she nodded and replied, “Alright, let’s go to the private lounge and order something. We’ll wait for you there.”
Sensing that Timothy might need some space, Mia didn’t push the matter and quietly led Ginger and Sage away from the commotion.
Neither of them voiced any objections as they followed Mia.
As Sage moved forward, he couldn’t resist stealing a glance back at Timothy’s silhouette. The complexity of Timothy’s identity had truly caught him off guard.
As they settled into the private lounge, Mia passed the menu to Ginger and Sage. “Take your time to look through the menu and decide what you’d like to eat.”
Ginger’s worry was palpable, her thoughts lingering on the fragments of conversation she had overheard earlier. With a furrowed brow, she glanced up at Mia and inquired, “Mommy, do you think he’s really upset?”
Mia gently patted Ginger’s head, reassuring her, “It’s natural to feel uneasy in such situations, but don’t worry too much. Timothy has known about this matter for some time now, and as an adult, he’ll manage just fine.”
Sage, however, remained skeptical. “If Timothy already knew he wasn’t biologically related to the Barretts, why didn’t he reveal it sooner?”
Fixing her gaze on Sage, Mia elaborated, “Back then, your father remained oblivious to his true lineage. After all, he was merely a baby when he was unknowingly switched into the Barrett family. Even Grandma Laura didn’t stumble upon this revelation until much later.
“At the time, Mrs. Barrett faced significant struggles in conceiving her son. If she had been aware of her child’s passing, it would have surely been a devastating blow.
“And as you’ve observed, the Barrett family’s preference for male heirs is deeply ingrained.
“Without a son, Mrs. Barrett would have faced societal pressures and expectations as the matriarch of such a prestigious household.
“Hence, upon uncovering the truth, Mrs. Barrett chose to keep it concealed.”
Ginger’s innocent curiosity shone through as she asked, “But since she’s a woman too, why would she discriminate against other women?”
With a heavy sigh, Mia explained,
“Regrettably, many still cling to this notion. Enduring years of oppression has led them to believe that only be bearing ¨¤ son can they find a happiness. Without one, life seems destined to be perpetually clouded with sorrow.”
After all, individuals who have been through hardship or misfortune might feel more inclined to belittle those they perceive as more privileged than themselves.
“This explains the surge in resentful mothers-in-law these days. Having endured mistreatment themselves they may tend to overlook their past struggles once they assume the role of a mother-in-law. Instead, they often project all their grievances onto their daughters-in-law.”
Sage paused before asking, “So, did he take any action after discovering his true identity?”
“Well, not exactly,” Mia explained, “After uncovering his background, I’m certain Grandma Laura must have had a conversation with him. From then on, he began to see himself as a rightful heir. And as it turns out, he’s proven to be remarkably exceptional.”
Despite clarifying Timothy’s identity to Ginger and Sage, Mia couldn’t completely shake off her worries.
While Timothy had just stumbled upon the truth, Sharon had been aware of his illegitimate status for quite a while.
With this realization, the situation seemed to have become more complicated.
Taking Mia’s hand, Ginger expressed her concern. “Mommy, why don’t you go out and see how he’s doing? I’m worried he might be struggling on his own.”
Instinctively, Mia stole a fleeting glance at Sage. Nonetheless, he remained focused on the menu, his silence speaking volumes.
Mia rose from her seat, instructing, “You two go ahead and order something to eat. I’ll step out for a moment and return shortly.”
As she exited the lounge, Mia noticed that the earlier commotion had settled.
Standing alone, Sharon looked disheveled, her clothes wrinkled and her hair tousled.
It appeared that the once-elegant aristocrat had undergone a transformation, now resembling an ordinary person.
Looking at the disheveled Edith in front of him, Timothy stated, “I’ll have Heath take you to the hospital for a check-up.” A tumult of emotions engulfed Sharon as she looked at Timothy. “When did you discover the truth about your parentage?” Unbeknownst to Timothy, the revelation of his true origins had shattered Sharon’s world.
She had invested her heart in nurturing the son she believed to be hers, only to realize he wasn’t biologically related to her.
What cut even deeper was the realization that he was the result of her husband’s infidelity—a truth that engulfed her in profound disgrace.
Despite this, Sharon’s marriage had always been a cold, calculated business arrangement, devoid of any genuine affection or emotional connection.
Her sole aspiration had been to bear a son to secure the Barrett family fortune, envisioning a future where she could thrive independently.
However, she hadn’t foreseen the obstacles her body would pose in conceiving a child.
After enduring the arduous process of childbirth and devoting herself to raising her son, she eventually uncovered the devastating truth-her husband had switched him with his mistress’s child. Yet, even upon discovering the truth, Sharon hesitated to speak out.
After all, revealing Timothy’s true identity would jeopardize everything she had worked tirelessly to achieve.
Consequently, Sharon’s feelings toward Timothy remained entangled in a complex web of emotions.
Nonetheless, what truly caught her off guard was the revelation that Timothy had been aware of his background all along.
Reflecting on Timothy’s calm demeanor just moments earlier, Sharon was able to piece together the puzzle.
With disdain evident in her voice, she accused, “It was Mia who spilled the beans, wasn’t it?”
Standing nearby, Mia was utterly bewildered. What did Sharon mean by implicating her in Timothy’s revelation?
After all, she had no inkling of such matters. It was only recently that Timothy had disclosed the truth while explaining Sage’s lineage.
Timothy remained composed as he responded, “I only found out about it five years ago.”
“Does that mean Luna’s husband is your biological brother?” Sharon demanded.
Timothy nodded in confirmation. “Yes.”
Sharon appeared to buckle under the weight of it all. “This is sheer cruelty. Not only did you rob me of my child’s life, but you also subjected me to the humiliation of raising another woman’s child!” Timothy remained silent, allowing Sharon to release her pent-up anger before calmly stating, “I’ve conducted an investigation. Your child did indeed pass away due to health complications.” “That’s not true! It’s because of all of you that he died!” Sharon accused, her voice tinged with bitterness.
“I’ll arrange for someone to escort you to the hospital now,” Timothy intervened calmly.
“I refuse to go to the hospital! Why bother? It’s better off dead than living like this. You must be feeling quite pleased with yourself, aren’t you? Sneering at me from within!
“For all these years, you’ve looked down on me You believed your uncle and the others held me back regarding me as nothing but vain and incompetent, and that I was only capable of flaunting the title of Mrs. Barrett, isn’t that correct?”
Timothy’s Adam’s Apple bobbed as he replied, “That’s not true.”
“Not true? Do you have the nerve to assert otherwise? Would you treat me in this manner if I were indeed your birth mother?” Sharon challenged.
Unable to restrain her emotions, Sharon’s hand lashed out, delivering a stinging slap to Timothy’s face. “You’re just like your heartless father-a cold-blooded man with no compassion!”
Timothy stood unmoving, absorbing the blow without a hint of retaliation, his silence speaking volumes.
On the contrary, Mia could no longer remain silent. She approached Sharon and addressed her directly saying, “Even after discovering the truth, he hasn’t mistreated you at all, despite whatever may have transpired between you two.”
“What do you mean he hasn’t mistreated me? If he truly felt remorseful, why didn’t he intervene when his uncle faced trouble? Why did he refuse to comply when asked him to fight for custody of his children? Why did he resist when I urged him to divorce and marry another woman?”
“Do you want a biological son, or do you prefer a dog that obeys your every command?”
Observing Sharon, Mia couldn’t shake the realization that beneath her words lay a bedrock of selfish desires.
Having grown up in a household where boys were prioritized over girls, Sharon’s longing for a son was deeply rooted.
Even upon learning of Timothy’s illegitimate status, Sharon chose to feign ignorance to preserve her standing as a wealthy socialite.
Sharon’s anger erupted as she scolded, “Mia, what nonsense are you spouting? Everything was in order before you arrived. Since you’ve been here, Tim has gone off track.”
Mia retorted, “Are you secretly hoping to marry your son? Or is it because you know he’s not your biological child? Despite your clear disdain for him, you still try to hide the truth from him and expect him to follow your every command.
“But he’s proven himself to be quite independent, hasn’t he? I can only imagine how much his defiance must hurt you.”