The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 36 - 37: Who Is Mommy’s Baby?

Naomi Kenway was woken by a soft touch. When she opened her eyes, she found her son holding her hand, his big, glistening eyes fixed on hers without blinking.

"What is it, sweetie?"

Naomi Kenway couldn’t help but ruffle his hair. Having just woken up, her voice was tinged with a bit of sleepiness.

Before she could even process it, a model car was pressed into her hand—it was her son’s favorite toy. Before she had a chance to ask what was going on, Ultraman cards and a few pieces of candy were added to the pile.

"Annie?"

"Amusement park, Mama, the amusement park..."

Naomi finally understood. Today was the weekend, the day Ethan Shaw had promised to take Ian to the amusement park.

’My relationship with Ethan isn’t exactly great, and I really don’t want to see that stone-cold face of his. It’s the weekend, a rare day to relax. Why would I go looking for misery?’

"Annie..." Facing Ian’s big, blinking eyes, Naomi suddenly found she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. ’But he’s probably been looking forward to this trip with Ethan for ages. If I go, won’t I just spoil the fun?’

"Annie, how about Mama takes you next time? I can’t go today."

"Why?" Ian asked anxiously.

"Mama... um... is a little busy."

Naomi Kenway lowered her head. Lying to Ian had become an incredibly difficult thing to do.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Ian’s eyes. Just as Naomi thought he would continue to pester her, she saw him already climbing off the bed, steadying himself with her arm.

"Oh, okay. You can get to work then, Mama. Annie won’t bother you."

With that, he scampered out of the room.

Left alone in the room, Naomi felt a growing unease. The memory of her son’s disappointed expression was like a needle pricking her heart.

’Didn’t I promise to give him everything he ever wanted? Why can’t I even grant this one small request?’

Naomi hastily threw back the covers. "Annie!"

*

Ethan Shaw was waiting by the car, his tall, imposing figure leaning slightly against the body of the car. When he saw the housekeeper leading Ian over, he strode forward and lifted the boy high into the air.

Ian hadn’t seen his father in a long time and giggled. "Higher, higher!"

Holding his son in his arms, Ethan was surprised to find that Annie seemed to have put on a little weight. His tender young face had grown round and chubby.

"Looks like you’ve gotten a bit chubbier, Annie," Ethan remarked. "Did Grandma have you over?"

’But as soon as he said it, he thought it unlikely. Naomi was unusually possessive of the child, to the point where she wouldn’t let anyone but herself get too close to Ian.’

"Nope," Ian said earnestly. "Mama’s the one raising me! I got chubby ’cause Mama makes me yummy food every day!"

’Ethan, of course, didn’t believe him. He figured it was just another line Naomi had taught Ian to recite.’ It clearly wasn’t appropriate to discuss such things with a child, so Ethan simply gave Ian’s cheek a light pinch. "Is that so?"

"Papa, it would be great if Mama could come with us. Annie really misses Mama..." Ian said suddenly, his little face scrunching up as he sighed.

Ethan was just about to comfort him when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching.

"Wait! Wait up!"

Ethan turned, frowning slightly. "Naomi?"

It was only when Naomi drew closer that Ethan noticed the change in her. Instead of the usual furious, contorted expression, her face was surprisingly serene... ’When did she get so beautiful?’

’But no amount of beauty could hide her venomous nature.’

Ian reached out his hands, calling out sweetly, "Mama..."

Ethan, still holding Ian, took two steps back, his eyes fixed on her warily. "I’m taking Annie to the amusement park. You can’t interfere. I’m his father."

Ever since Ethan had moved out, Naomi had stopped at nothing to get him to come back, including preventing him from seeing Annie alone.

Naomi remembered the fits she’d thrown in the past, and her smile became a bit awkward. "I’m not here to make trouble. I just came to bring him some clothes."

Naomi held out the denim jacket in her hands. "I saw the forecast. It’s supposed to get colder tonight."

"We won’t be out that late."

"Better safe than sorry. It never hurts to be prepared." Naomi tossed the jacket to the driver in the front seat. "Could you hold on to this, please?"

Ethan watched her skeptically. "Anything else?"

"N-no..."

Ethan got into the car with Ian and ordered, "Let’s go..."

He hadn’t even finished his sentence when a certain someone started tapping on the car window, shouting for them to wait.

The window slid down slowly. Ethan’s gaze was dark. "Naomi, what exactly are you trying to pull?"

Naomi scratched her head, looking mortified. "Actually, I was wondering... could you make room for one more?"

"What do you think?"

’Damn you, Ethan Shaw! If it weren’t for my son, why would I be shamelessly begging to tag along like this?!’

Naomi cursed him out in her head but managed to keep a calm expression.

"I know the amusement park like the back of my hand. I think you’ll need a tour guide."

Ian cheered, "Mama’s coming to the amusement park with us! Yay!!"

Ian shook Ethan’s arm. "Papa, please let Mama come with us!" He then let go and pouted. "If Mama doesn’t go, then Annie isn’t going either!"

Naomi silently gave Ian an approving look. ’That’s my boy!’

Ethan was usually busy with work and knew he didn’t spend enough time with Ian. He felt he owed his son a great deal and could almost never refuse his requests.

A minute later, Naomi was in the car.

Ian sat between the two of them, with Ethan and Naomi on either side.

The car was silent. Ethan rested with his eyes closed.

’I’ve never really taken a good look at Ethan before.’ Naomi realized now that her son’s features, his eyes and brows, resembled Ethan’s more than she’d thought—refined and handsome. ’It’s just that my son hasn’t grown into them yet; his eyes are still on the rounder side.’

"Mama, why are you staring at Annie?"

Naomi cupped his face in her hands and praised, "Because my little darling is the cutest one of all!"

A blush spread across Ian’s face, but he still asked, "And who is Mama’s little darling?"

"It’s Annie, of course!"

Ian fell silent, but his cheeks grew even redder.

’Since Ethan and her son looked so much alike, Naomi suddenly found him much easier on the eyes.’

’Ethan’s eyes were closed, but he could clearly hear everything around him. He had expected Naomi to pounce on him like a hungry wolf, just like she always did. But she hadn’t made a move. When did she learn to be so quiet?’

"Mama, can you keep telling me the story of *The Little Prince*?"

"Of course." Since she hadn’t brought the book, Naomi had to look it up on her phone. "Now, where did we leave off...?"

Her gentle, serene voice flowed like the soft murmur of a spring stream.

Ethan couldn’t help but open his eyes. He glanced to the side, his gaze landing on Naomi’s serene and earnest profile, and the camellia earring on her snow-white earlobe.