“It must be another tabloid writer wanting gossip.” “No, it’s not Mary, sir,” Cherry added apologetically. “But she looks a lot like you.”
Adam’s breath caught in his throat, and he stared at his assistant for a while before sighing. “Send her in,” he managed.
Carissa entered with her signature sickeningly-sweet smile and her arms outstretched.
She was the same as ever, just older. But Adam saw several things some people wouldn’t notice. Her cheap makeup was smudged as if it had been done yesterday or days ago.
Her clothes seemed nice, but they were clear imitations. Adam normally didn’t care about such stupid matters, but this was the woman who had abandoned him.
“Adam,” Carissa breathed. “My boy!
Look at you now!” Despite her seemingly warm words, there was no maternal love in her gaze, and even worse, Adam saw a calculating gleam. “Why are you here?” he asked instead of wasting his time with pleasantries. He didn’t even offer her a smile.
“I see you’re mad at me,” Carissa began, sitting in the chair opposite his desk. “But let me explain.
I saw that article about you…” She launched into a tale of hardship and bad luck, each word carefully crafted to elicit sympathy… and financial support.
Adam listened silently, but his jaw clenched often.
“So, you see,” she finished, “I thought my son would help me during this hard time since he’s such a caring person with a big business dedicated to helping others like himself.”
It was then that Adam stood.
“I’m not the little boy you abandoned,” he said, buttoning his suit jacket. “I’ve made something of myself, not because of you, but in spite of you.
The only mother I acknowledge is the woman who chose me, loved me, and sacrificed for me.” Carissa’s face froze for a moment before her mask slipped.
“But Adam, I’m your real mother,” she said tightly. “Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” “Me being your son didn’t mean anything to you,” he replied, shrugging. “Please, see yourself out.” Without another word, Adam gestured for the door, and Carissa left, but not before giving him the stink-eye.
A few days later, Adam told Mary, his real mother, all about it during dinner.
As always, she could tell when he was feeling emotional.
She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
“You’re the strongest person I know,” she said, her eyes shining with love. “Being your parents was the greatest thing that happened to Josh and me.” Despite being an adult, a college graduate, and a businessman, Adam needed to hear those words after seeing Carissa. He nodded, sniffing to avoid crying, and they continued eating, changing the subject to something happier.
