Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 25

Leo burst into loud, heartbroken sobs, throwing his arms tightly around Summer's neck.

Crying hysterically, he choked out, "Great-Grandfather said... he said it's your bad genetics that made me so stupid. But he's lying! It's not because of you, Mom. It's not your fault! I'm the one who's stupid. I just can't learn it. I can't do it right."

Summer held him fiercely, her own tears falling hot and fast.

What kind of living hell had her son been enduring at the Sterling estate?

He was just a little boy. How could they be so cruel?

Were their hearts made of stone?

A suffocating mix of fury and heartbreak tore through her. She never imagined the son she carried and loved would be subjected to such barbarity!

Was this what the Sterlings called 'elite grooming'?

Mrs. Gable stood to the side, wiping her own tears and comforting the boy. "Leo, your great-grandfather is talking nonsense. Your mother is brilliant, and you are incredibly smart too. You both are!"

Leo sobbed uncontrollably, finally releasing all the repressed terror and trauma from the estate through the vulnerability of his fever.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I'm so stupid. I just wanted to prove I was smart so they wouldn't bully you or look down on you. I wanted to make you proud, but I failed. I'm not as smart as Uncle. I'm so sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry. I'm just too dumb. I can't learn it..."

It felt like a knife was twisting in Summer's heart. Bleeding inside, she rocked him gently. "You didn't do anything wrong, sweetheart. And Mom didn't do anything wrong either. They are the ones who are wrong. They are terrible people."

Summer drove while Mrs. Gable sat in the back, tending to the fever-dazed boy as they sped toward the hospital.

As the car pulled out of the driveway, Summer dialed Xavier's number.

The call connected, but before Summer could speak, a bright female voice answered.

"Hello? Who is this?"

Summer instinctively checked the caller ID. It clearly read: Husband.

Summer felt terrible for imposing. "You don't have to do that. I've bothered you enough."

Sebastian's tone was warm but left no room for argument. "Summer, I'm your divorce attorney. I should be present for the police statement and the injury assessment. I know police procedures and tactics better than you do, and I won't let them brush you off."

"Okay," Summer agreed, too focused on Leo to argue. "I'm heading to Aunt Tessa's hospital."

Tessa Thorne was Summer's best friend and a doctor there.

After hanging up, Summer immediately called the police.

At the hospital.

Tessa was covering a night shift for a coworker but wasn't too busy. Having received Summer's call, she was already waiting in the parking lot.

"Leo! My poor baby," Tessa cried, throwing the car door open with a look of pure distress. "Let Aunt Tessa hold you."