I Saw My Cruel Stepmom Future And Changed It All Chapter 10

I Saw My Cruel Stepmom Future And Changed It All Chapter 10

One week later, Seraphina’s legal team officially withdrew all custody claims.

I got a call from Wynne that afternoon, her laugh bright through the phone line.

“The evidence we gathered is airtight-she didn’t stand a single chance in court.”

“Congratulations, unofficial guardian of Jasper, you’re the first stepmom I’ve ever seen win a custody fight in my entire career.”

“I’m not a licensed attorney,” I chuckled into the receiver.

“You’ve got more grit than half the lawyers I work alongside.”

I hung up the call and leaned back against the lounge sofa, a deep, peaceful sense of closure

washing over my body.

Floating commentary drifted past my eyes.

[Main plot conflict fully resolved!]

[When’s Kaelen gonna confess his feelings for Elowen?]

“Mom!”

A tiny blur came sprinting down the manor staircase and crashed straight into my torso, Jasper

throwing both arms around my neck.

He tilted his head up, eyes shining bright.

“Hugo said that woman will never come back here ever again-is that true?”

“It’s completely true.”

“Forever and ever?”

“Forever and ever.”

He squeezed my neck tighter, voice muffled against my shirt fabric.

“I knew you’d win. You’re the bravest person alive.”

I rubbed soft circles over the back of his head, smiling wide.

[trauma healing progress tracker: 100%!]

[This little boy will never turn into a future socially detached antisocial youth again.]

That night marked the first time Jasper voluntarily asked me to read him a bedtime story before

bed.

He curled up beneath his comforter, clutching his worn stuffed linen bunny, eyes half lidded with

sleep.

“Mom.”

“Hmm?”

“Can we stay living in Hale Manor forever?”

“Of course, this is our home.”

“What if you and Dad decide to separate?”

My movements stilled instantly.

“Why would you ask that all of a sudden?”

“I want you to be my mom for all time,” his voice grew quieter, swallowed by drowsiness.

“If you two split up, you’ll have to move far away and leave me behind.”

“Nothing’s gonna separate us,” I leaned down and pressed a light kiss to his forehead.

No matter what happens, I’ll always be your Mom.”

He hummed softly and slipped into deep sleep moments later.

I switched off his bedroom lamp and headed for the hallway, only to spot Kaelen standing outside

the door.

He’d been waiting there for who knew how long, the hallway overhead light casting his face into

shadow so I couldn’t read his expression.

I could feel his gaze locked firmly on me, though.

“Elowen.”

“What’s up?”

He stepped one pace forward, shrinking the space between us drastically.

I caught the faint cedar cologne on his clothes mixed with a light hint of whiskey.

His hand lifted, hesitated a moment, then settled gently onto my shoulders.

“Don’t leave,” he said quietly.

“Jasper needs you.”

He paused, throat bobbing once like he was forcing himself to admit something huge, then added the quiet confession that made my heart race.

“I need you too.”

The hallway fell dead silent, only our quiet breathing audible.

[HE CONFESSED AT LAST!!!]

[Kaelen finally woke up to his own feelings.]

[I’m tearing up over this line “I need you”]

I stared up at him, heart hammering fast in my chest.

“I never planned on leaving at all.”

A faint, rare smile tugged at Kaelen’s lips.

A thin crack split Jasper’s bedroom door open at that exact second, a sleepy little head poking out

from the gap.

“What are you two doing out here?”

Kaelen and I both twisted our heads to look at the small boy at the same time.

“Just chatting,” I said quickly.

“Having a talk,” Kaelen said at the same time.

Jasper’s sleepy eyes zeroed in on Kaelen’s cheeks.

“Dad, your face is all pink.”

“Get back in bed,” Kaelen cleared his throat, flustered.

“Okay.”

Jasper pulled the door halfway closed, then poked his head out one last time before fully shutting it.

“Goodnight Mom. Goodnight Dad.”

The door latched shut completely.

I couldn’t hold back my quiet laughter anymore.

Kaelen’s ear tips were bright red, obvious for anyone to see.

The final line of floating commentary drifted slowly across my line of sight.

Five-year-old Jasper Hale was pulled from the edge of a dark, lonely fate this year.

He would never grow into the cold, ruthless, socially detached antisocial youth from the paralle!

timeline.

From now on, he was just a regular little boy wrapped up in love.

I stared at those words.

A soft, cozy warmth flooded my whole chest.

I no longer cared about any pre-written alternate timelines.

This was my story.

This was my home.