Regrets Come Too Late (Sierra and Johnny) novel Chapter 14

Crimson Catacombs Whispered Ancient Oaths by Nerith Kaelor 1

Chapter 14

Sierra paused, surprised that Tommy had found out.

“So, you know about me and your dad getting a divorce, too?” She had been struggling to find a way to tell him that would hurt him the least.

Tommy nodded his little head. “Yeah!”

Sierra hugged him, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry.”

“Mommy, you’re so silly,” Tommy said, his innocent face full of concern as he took her hand. “You shouldn’t have fought for custody.”

Sierra was stunned, her heart skipping a beat. Did Tommy not want to come with her?

“Even if I live with Dad, you’ll always be the one I love most,” Tommy said, tilting his head and thinking his mom was just too soft–hearted. He lost count of how many times he thought about it. “I’ll miss you every day. I’ll come see you whenever I’m on

break.”

Sierra suddenly smiled, her eyes brimming with tears she didn’t notice.

“You should have let Dad take care of me, so he would see how much work raising a kid really is,” Tommy said softly, but his words showed wisdom beyond his years.

“I couldn’t do that,” Sierra replied, feeling that her greatest blessing in life was having both a loving mother and Tommy. “I can’t stand the thought of you growing up in that kind of environment. I want your childhood and your future to be happy and full of love.”

Only then could a child be truly healthy inside.

If he grew up around Danny, Agnes, and John, he might be fine at first, but over time, he’d be influenced by them. Just like how Danny saw cheating as normal in their circle, John naturally believed there was nothing wrong with keeping a wife at home and a mistress outside.

Sierra didn’t want Tommy to end up like that. Her Tommy deserved to be a happy, healthy boy.

3

“Mommy, you’re really silly.” Tommy hugged her tighter, his big, round eyes filled with love. “But you’re the best.”

Hearing that, Sierra stroked his head tenderly, suddenly feeling that everything she had done was worth it.

“Mommy?” Tommy’s voice was especially adorable when he called her.

“Yes?” Sierra asked.

He hesitated, then asked, “Is Dad divorcing you because of that secretary from today?”

Sierra’s eyes froze.

“I saw the trending news a couple of days ago. Dad said he was on a business trip today, but his step count kept going up for hours after that,” Tommy said with a child’s voice, but sounding much older than his years.

“You…” Sierra didn’t know what to say, worried he would be hurt by the truth

At that moment, she realized Tommy was even more observant than she was. How did a kid his age know to check things like step counts?

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Tommy said, his big eyes full of concern for her.

Tommy knew even if his dad had cheated, the man would still care for him like always. He just wouldn’t love Mom the same way anymore. Tommy was worried Mom wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Chapter 14

Sierra still didn’t explain further, and she just comforted him, “Even if we’re divorced, we’ll both always love you.”

Once the conversation was over, she played with Tommy for a while to distract him.

+25 Bonus

Over the next two days, Sierra started looking for both a new place and a job. After five years out of the workforce, it was hard to get back in. It didn’t matter even when she had a good education; there were just too many recent college graduates out there. 1

When Holly called to check on her and heard about her job search, she made a suggestion. “Why don’t you come work at my company? I’ll give you the best salary.”

“I’ll keep looking for now,” Sierra said, not wanting to trouble her. She didn’t mind if she did well, but if she messed up, Holly would get criticized for playing favorites. “If nothing works out, I’ll take you up on it.”

“Send me your resume. I’ll help you revise it,” Holly offered.

Sierra sent it.

Besides occasionally acting in a few small but well–written roles, Holly was also the owner of an entertainment company under the Sanders Group. When it came to reviewing resumes, she was reliable.

“How are you still as honest as you were right after college?” Holly teased after seeing the resume. “All those years married to that scumbag, and you didn’t pick up a single trick from him?”

P

Comments