The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 73: It’s Not Easy Being a Stepmother

"Mona, don’t always push your mother away. From now on, tell me everything, let me get to know you a little better, okay? My heart truly aches for you. I want us to have a real heart-to-heart." Renee Jennings was in tears as she hugged Nathan Lynch tightly. "I know you’re always thinking about your birth mother, but I love you too, Mona. I truly think of you as my own son."

"This is my first time being a mother, and I’ve been so neglectful. I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll pay more attention and love you better from now on."

Nathan Lynch thought of his birth mother, Victor Vance, and his eyes filled with tears.

’He really missed his mom. His mom would never yell at him, scold him, or force him to learn all sorts of foreign languages he hated. And water... she would never be reluctant to buy him a drink...’

But to outsiders, this was just a touching scene of a loving mother and a devoted son. The cameras captured it from several angles.

People who had thought Renee Jennings was irresponsible now saw that she had her own difficulties; Mona just couldn’t accept her as a stepmother.

Those who had been criticizing Renee Jennings fell silent.

Margaret Jennings was a very emotional person. She took out a handkerchief to dab the corners of her eyes, tilting her head up to hold back her tears. "...Rachel, being a stepmom really isn’t easy. You and Mona should try to communicate more. It’s normal for a child not to adapt right away. I’m sure Mona will come to accept you sooner or later."

Renee Jennings nodded tearfully.

Naomi Kenway frowned. She didn’t know if Renee Jennings was telling the truth or not. But Mona had clearly been so clingy with Renee Jennings before. ’Is it really that Nathan Lynch is the one unwilling to open up?’

Naomi Kenway gently rubbed her temples. She shouldn’t get too involved in other people’s family matters.

[That kid Mona seems clingy, but I guess he still can’t accept Rachel. Everyone stop bashing Rachel. Let’s be more understanding. It’s her first time being a mom, so of course there’s a lot she’s not familiar with. She can’t be expected to handle every little detail perfectly. This whole thing was an accident.]

[Rachel has been married to Best Actor Lynch for less than half a year. It’s normal for there to be a gap between the mother and son. I totally get how Rachel feels. Mona is a good kid. I’m sure the two of them will get better and better.]

[It breaks my heart to see Rachel crying. Everyone, stop attacking her. Who doesn’t make mistakes?]

[Wait, Mona hasn’t had seafood in over half a year? If Renee Jennings cares so much about him, how could she not even know he doesn’t eat seafood?]

[Rachel watches over Mona’s studies before dawn every day, and she’s always so gentle and considerate. That can’t all be an act, can it? She’s like that every single day. If it’s an act, that’s way too much effort.]

[For real? Why does it feel like Mona is the one trying to please Renee Jennings?]

...

After hearing Renee Jennings’s tearful plea, the comment section collectively changed its tune and began to comfort her. A very small number of people expressed doubts, but they were quickly drowned out by the flood of comments.

Ruby Preston felt a little guilty after hearing Renee Jennings’s side of the story. The reason she hadn’t liked Renee Jennings was that she seemed irresponsible and inattentive to the child. She never imagined there was another side to it.

Ruby Preston walked over and gently patted Renee Jennings’s shoulder. "If the child isn’t willing to talk, try to bring up topics Mona is interested in to close the distance."

Aware of how sensitive a child’s feelings can be, Ruby Preston didn’t say too much in front of Nathan Lynch.

In truth, Ruby Preston completely understood how Renee Jennings felt. She often traveled for work, sometimes staying with a film crew for half a month at a time, and had also neglected to spend time with her own child. When she wanted to make up for it, she found that her son had already grown up. Mother and son no longer had anything in common. They would often sit in the same room in silence, and aside from asking about his school progress, Ruby Preston didn’t know how to show she cared.

Because of this incident, the show’s production was temporarily put on hold.

Once everyone had composed themselves, the guide shouted again, "Everyone can now take your suitcases to your homes! We’ve placed a mission card in each house. The guests will have to search carefully to find its exact location. We’ll see you there!"

For a rare moment, Ruby Preston looked distressed, but then, remembering Simon Sawyer was beside her, she forced herself to cheer up. "Sean, don’t be scared. Mommy will definitely get the house all tidied up."

Simon Sawyer paused, unsure how to respond. "I’m not scared. I can take care of myself at home. You don’t have to worry about me."

Hearing this, Ruby Preston felt a pang in her heart. Outsiders all said her son was mature and sensible for his age, but only she knew that in addition to his natural disposition, it was also due to her absence.

...

Based on the results of the draw: Naomi Kenway and her son got the Number 4 small bamboo house; Renee Jennings and her son got the clean and tidy Number 1 stone house; Margaret Jennings and her daughter got the Number 2 house with chickens and ducks; Chelsea Raines and her son chose the somewhat distant Number 3 house; and Ruby Preston and her son got the Number 5 thatched cottage.

All the guests headed to their new lodgings with their suitcases, while Renee Jennings and her son were pulled aside for a separate interview because of what had just happened.

"Ms. Jennings, I’d like to ask again, why did you choose to participate in *Super Mom*?"

Renee Jennings’s answer was flawless. "Mona and I are a rather special case among all the parent-child pairs. As everyone has seen, Mona... because of his birth mother... is a bit resistant to me. I make him delicious desserts and supervise his studies, but there has always been a barrier between us. *Super Mom* is a show that can strengthen the parent-child bond, which is why I chose to come here. I hope Mona can truly accept me."

As she reached the sad part of her story, she once again raised her handkerchief to wipe away her tears.

[It’s not easy being a wealthy family’s stepmom. Poor Renee Jennings, she’s had to put up with so much.]

[Rachel just said it was because of Mona’s birth mother. What does that mean? Don’t tell me his birth mother is deliberately encouraging Mona to not be close with Rachel? If that’s the case, that’s too despicable. Since they’re divorced, they should just part amicably and leave each other with some dignity.] 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

[Mona’s mom is a non-celebrity. She was married to Best Actor Lynch for eight years. I heard she cheated on him with a foreign photographer, and Best Actor Lynch found out, which is why they were forced to divorce. That woman is horrible!]

...

When it was Nathan Lynch’s turn to be interviewed, he was rather quiet.

"Mona, why did you choose to come on *Super Mom* with your mom?"

"I... I don’t know. Dad told me to."

The director paused, then posed another question. "Mona, do you like being on the show with your mom?"

Nathan Lynch nodded, then shook his head. "I think Mom is sometimes really gentle, and sometimes really mean. Mona gets really sad sometimes."

The director nodded and finally handed Nathan Lynch a lollipop. "Mona, this is a reward for answering the questions."

Nathan Lynch took it, very politely. "Thank you, Mr. Director."

[Mona, don’t be fooled by your birth mother all the time. Rachel is genuinely good to you!]

[Poor baby Mona is so unlucky. It’s heartbreaking to watch. I hope Mona stays safe and healthy.]

[Why is everyone in the comments attacking Mona’s birth mom? His birth mom was the one who raised him. For Mona to be so sensible and polite, his birth mother must be a very gentle and well-mannered person.]

[A well-mannered person cheats during their marriage?]

...