Carter's patience wore thin . His voice was cold and clipped . " That's enough . " Nate opened his mouth to speak again , but Kelly held him back , giving a small shake of her head . " That's enough , Nate . It's fulliard's birthday tonight . Let's go . " Nate caught the shift in Carter's expression - dark and unreadable . He shut up and followed them in silence . +25 BONUS Inside the private room , Wendy had been planning to call in a few male escorts for the party . But Sharon firmly refused , leaving her no choice but to give up on the idea , albeit with obvious regret . " The guys here are top - tier , " Wendy said wistfully . " Incredible bodies , killer abs ... the kind that make you never want to let go once you've touched them . I'm telling you , it's addictive . " Sharon remained calm . " I'm planning to divorce Carter . I need to be careful right now . I don't want to give them anything they can use against me . " Wendy tapped her fingers on the table , thoughtful . " Makes sense . Wouldn't want them flipping the script and playing the victim . She was never the type to sit still for long . Since the models were out of the picture , she resorted to singing karaoke instead . Time passed , though neither of them paid much attention to the clock . Sharon's phone vibrated softly on the table . She glanced down . It was John . She raised a finger at Wendy , mouthing a quick " hold on , " and stepped outside to take the call . John wanted to talk about setting up his own studio . His contract with the agency was about to expire , and with Sharon considering a return to work , he figured it was the perfect time to start something new . Sharon didn't hesitate . She agreed on the spot . After hanging up , she headed to the restroom . On her way out , she saw Kelly standing by the sink , touching up her makeup in the mirror . Their eyes met briefly . Sharon's gaze was flat , uninterested , and she looked away . She turned on the faucet , washed her hands , and was about to leave when Kelly called out . " Sharon . " Sharon turned . " What is it ? " Kelly smiled softly , pulling something from her handbag . " Sharon , do you recognize this ? " She held up a small , worn amulet . The design was old - fashioned . Sharon's brow twitched . Her breath caught , just for a second . Kelly's tone remained gentle . " Theo told me ... this was the charm you prayed for , back when he was sick . Said you stayed knelt a whole day and night just to get it . " Sharon's voice was quiet . " What exactly are you trying to say , Kelly ? " Kelly gave the amulet a slight shake . " Theo said that after you brought this back , his fever started to break . He got better . So now , he's giving it to me - hoping it'll heal me too . " Chapter 10 +25 BONUS Theo had been three years old when he suddenly became gravely with a high fever . Nothing worked - no medicine , no physical cooling . The doctors had exhausted every method . They even told the family to prepare for the worst and sent Theo home . Someone - Carter's younger sister , maybe had quietly suggested cuthanasia , just so Theo wouldn't suffer anymore . Sharon refused to give up . Desperate , she turned to anything that offered hope , even if it meant placing her faith in the divine . No one could explain what happened . Whether it was coincidence or fate , when she returned with that charm , Theo's fever began to fade . Slowly , steadily , his condition improved . His health had only gotten better from there . When Theo still relied on her for everything , he once told her , " This is the charm Mommy got for me . I'll wear it every day and keep it safe . " She never imagined that one day , this same charm would end up in Kelly's hands . Kelly raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear , revealing the emerald bracelet on her wrist . The bracelet shimmered softly , its pale green glow delicate and serene - yet somehow , it stung the eyes . Sharon's papils contracted sharply . That bracelet was Carter's family heirloom . It was meant to be passed down to the family's daughters - in - law . But Madeline , Carter's mother , had never liked her . Not even a little . She never even considered giving it to her . Even after she gave birth to Theo , Madeline remained cold and distant . Sharon knew Madeline favored refined , high - born women . She didn't think much of Kelly either . It was said that Carter's breakup with Kelly had been orchestrated by Madeline herself . No one expected Carter would go on to marry someone even less acceptable - Sharon . No one in Carter's family had ever truly accepted her . Even the household staff treated her with condescension , convinced she'd schemed her way into a wealthy marriage . For years after their wedding , Madeline refused to see her . On holidays and family gatherings , she was forbidden from stepping foot into Madeline's house . It wasn't until Theo began to grow up - looking more and more like Carter , smart and charming - that things began to shift . Madeline slowly began to lower her guard , for Theo's sake . Eventually , she even handed the emerald bracelet over - not to Sharon , but to Theo , instructing him to one day pass it on to his wife . Sharon had once asked to see it . Theo had refused . He'd said seriously , " Grandma said this bracelet is for my future wife . If I lose it or break it , I won't have a wife anymore . " His solemn little face had made her laugh at the time . But now , the joke felt bitter . Kelly must have noticed her stare . She smiled faintly , a flicker of triumph in her eyes . " This bracelet , " she said , " was also from Theo . He told me it's meant to be passed down to the daughter - in - law of the family . His mom asked for it , but he wouldn't give it up . " Sharon said nothing . She watched quietly , letting Kelly talk . Sure enough , Kelly kept going as she smiled sweetly . " He gave it to me because he hopes I'll be his mom . That I'll become the 2/3 Chapter 10 +25 BONUS Biggs family's daughter - in - law . " " Oh , right , " she added , " Sharon , you probably don't know - there's a parent - child event this weekend . Both parents are supposed to go . " Parent - child event ? Sharon suddenly remembered - just a few days ago , Carter had come home early for once and had dinner with them . While she was in the kitchen , carrying soup to the table , she'd overheard him and Theo talking . Something about " an event , " and " Kelly . " The moment she walked in , Theo had gone quiet . They clearly didn't want her to hear . By then , her feelings toward Kelly had already curdled into nausea . She didn't want to hear that woman's name from either of them . It had been a rare moment of family peace , and she hadn't wanted to ruin it , so she didn't ask . So this was what they were talking about . Kelly's voice broke into her thoughts again . Theo also said , all the other moms in his class are socialites , heiresses . Even the least of them are celebrities . But his mom ? " She giggled, leaned in , and whispered , " He said his mom is just a housekeeper . That's why she delivers his lunch every day and picks him up after school . " Chapter 11 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!