Chubby Mommy: Scheming Daddy, Surrender Now!-Chapter 181: A Private Outing

"Why didn’t you answer the phone?" Ethan Sterling started off with a question, as if the person on the other end wasn’t his ex-wife, but his 24-hour on-call assistant.

Ruby Sullivan was somewhat displeased with his tone, slightly frowned, but didn’t retort, "I was in Seth’s room, didn’t have my phone with me. What’s up?"

Ethan Sterling sat on the window seat, impatiently tapping his knee with his fingers, "...nothing much."

Nothing much, but he sent over ten messages looking for her? Was his phone infected with a virus, or was his brain infected?

"Seth has an interview tomorrow, he’s a bit nervous and probably hasn’t fallen asleep yet. Do you want to say a few words to him?"

Ethan Sterling thought about it; his son was so smart, what was there to be nervous about for getting into elementary school? "No need, it’s a small matter, let him handle it himself."

Ruby Sullivan heard his justified tone, feeling more annoyed, "Nothing else, goodbye." She hung up the phone quickly.

Sent a barrage of messages asking what she was doing, just to irritate her? Ruby Sullivan glared at the darkened phone screen, "Calling for no reason is sickening?" With that, she tossed the phone aside and went to bed angrily.

On the other side, Ethan Sterling was stunned looking at the darkened phone screen. When did he become so insecure? Just knowing that Leon Sterling might be with her, made him lose his composure?

Ethan Sterling’s expression grew even more somber, he hadn’t taken a sip of the red wine in his cup, but he had lost the mood to drink.

*

After breakfast, Ruby Sullivan took Seth to school, Seth was sitting up straight the entire way, exuding tension from his hair down to his toes, his expression stiff as he got out of the car.

They arrived just in time for class, many students were rushing to their classrooms with the ringing of the bell, Ruby Sullivan followed a school employee to the principal’s office.

Since it was past the start of the school year, the conditions for admissions were more stringent, especially for a child as young as Seth.

The principal was an interesting middle-aged man, his smile softening significantly when talking to Seth, "Hello there, little guy, I’m Harry. I bet you know who Harry Potter is. Yes, I have the same name as him."

The humorous exchange eased Seth’s nerves, making him smile, "Hello, man, I’m Seth. Actually, I’d like to meet a principal like Professor Dumbledore."

After he said that, the principal, Seth, and Ruby Sullivan all laughed.

Her son was more articulate than she imagined, and suddenly she breathed a sigh of relief. Turns out, she was a bit nervous too. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Seth had already taken the entrance exam for the school, and the principal said his test scores were very good. Then, he asked about Seth’s interests and aspirations, to which Seth responded with clear opinions.

Ruby Sullivan hadn’t realized Seth wanted to be a doctor; she thought he’d be more interested in exploring the universe as he had a lot of books on the subject and had even brought his expensive telescope from home.

"I hope to use my knowledge to tackle more difficult diseases in the future. A doctor not only heals a patient but could also save a family," Seth calmly explained his ambition.

Although his spoken English was good, it wasn’t his native language, so he spoke slowly to be clear. But his slow speech only made his words seem more earnest and solemn.

Ruby Sullivan was momentarily distracted looking at her son.

The principal didn’t expect such a small child to give such an answer; though he had heard many kids talk about their aspirations, and knew many would forget them as they grow up, he was still inevitably moved by this child from the East.

"I’m very happy to have a child like you here. I hope this place brings you closer to your dreams." The principal rose slightly and extended his hand to Seth.

Seth showed a bright smile, got down from his chair, and shook the principal’s hand, "I’m also happy to be here."

After leaving the principal’s office, they followed the school employee to complete the enrollment procedures, received the textbooks and the student guidelines. He could start school the next day.

On the way back, Seth was very happy, so much so that he had never been happier, sitting in the back seat swinging his legs and singing.

"Since it’s rare for just the two of us to go out, how about we celebrate with a big meal?" Ruby Sullivan suggested.

As soon as Seth heard this, he got excited and was about to answer, but then thought of his sister, "If we don’t take Honey, will she be upset?"

"It’s okay, we’ve never gone out by ourselves; your sister will understand."

"Sure, actually... I’ve always wanted to see the city." He heard that Gotham City’s real-life model was Novaniel, but his sister’s health wasn’t suitable for crowded places, so he never asked.

Ruby Sullivan called Mama Bennett, then pulled the car over, found their destination, and took her son out.

They first went to a high-end restaurant for an authentic Michelin meal, and then watched a movie that was showing. Although it wasn’t a special arrangement, Seth was extremely happy throughout.

After dinner, Seth got an ice cream, and the mother and son set off for home.

"Mom, thank you." Seth, having finished his ice cream, sat up straight and leaned his head between the two front seats.

"No need to be so polite with Mom."

Seth chuckled, his face showing rare childhood innocence, "Actually, I used to envy the kindergarten kids. Dad took me to school every day, but it was the maid who picked me up, and it was usually Mama Bennett who attended parent-teacher meetings. On weekends, if Dad wasn’t socializing, he’d rest at home and never took me out to play."

Over time, he told himself that not going out to play was just fine; his house’s garden was big enough, and he had many books to read at home.

Now, he wanted to say that going out with Mom was really fun!

Happiness that books couldn’t multiply.

There was no tone of complaint in his words, just simple statements, yet they made Ruby Sullivan’s heart ache.

She had always been afraid of Honey getting hurt, so she seldom took her out to play. She must feel the same way Seth did, right?

"In the future, Mom will try to take you and your sister out more, I promise." Ruby Sullivan said sincerely.

Perhaps what the children needed wasn’t necessarily to go out and play, but more of their parent’s company.

After having been out all day, Ruby Sullivan was a bit worried that Honey might be upset. She didn’t ask about Honey while on the phone with Mama Bennett that evening because she feared it might affect her mood with Seth.

As soon as she walked in, she heard Honey’s voice, "Mom!"

Ruby Sullivan wasn’t prepared when little Honey rushed over to her, "Mom, Dad’s here!" she said excitedly.