My Son’s Bully Was His Old Flame’s Son Chapter 08

My Son’s Bully Was His Old Flame’s Son Chapter 08

After a thorough investigation by the District Attorney’s Office, every allegation against Joseph Sterling was confirmed with undeniable evidence.

In the end, the court sentenced him to three years in prison. All the honors and titles he once held were stripped away. His name was erased from every position he had ever taken pride in.

Before he was transferred to serve his sentence, he asked the prison staff to contact me. He said he wanted to see me and Carl one last time. Even ten minutes would be enough.

I hesitated for a long time. Then I looked at Carl, and finally nodded. He deserved to see clearly who his father truly was, so he could let go completely.

In the visitation room, Joseph sat behind a thick pane of glass, dressed in a prison uniform.

In just one month, The arrogance that once served as his armor had dissolved, leaving behind a hollowed-out man who looked twenty years older.

He was nothing like the polished, dignified judge he once was.

I stared at him, feeling as though I were looking at a stranger. It hit me then, the brilliant, righteous man I once held in my heart had only ever existed in my imagination.

Strip away the illusion, and he was nothing more than a hypocrite of the highest order.

The moment he saw me, his eyes filled with tears. His hoarse voice crackled through the phone on the wall.

“Sierra… I know I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong…”

“I never meant to hurt you or Carl. I just… I always felt guilty toward Julia. Back in high school, because of me, she was reprimanded and forced to leave school. I’ve never forgiven myself…”

“She raised a child alone. I only wanted to help her, to make up for the past. I never had feelings for her… never!”

“In truth… I realized too late that you were the only real thing in my sterile world. I just didn’t dare admit it. Please… believe me.”

“I know I treated you badly. I know I was cold. But you were in my heart. Otherwise why would I have stayed ten years…?”

I listened quietly, but my heart didn’t stir.

Ten years of coldness. Ten years of being ignored. His protection of Trent while Carl lay bleeding. His slander of me in court.

Every wound was carved into me and Carl like deep scars. How could a single “I love you,” a single “I’m sorry,” erase all of that?

I said nothing. I only looked at him, eyes icy and still. Seeing my silence, Joseph turned desperately toward Carl. His voice softened into a pleading whisper.

“Carl… I know I wasn’t a good father. I shouldn’t have taken Trent’s side. I shouldn’t have let you suffer…”

“When I get out, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll be the father I should have been. We can start over, Carl. Just give me a chance. Just forgive Dad this once… please?”

Carl frowned and shrank behind me, clinging tightly to the hem of my shirt. There was no trust in his eyes anymore, only rejection. He stared straight at Joseph and spoke in a clear, sharp voice.

“You’re not a good dad. You hurt Mom, and you hurt me. Mom doesn’t need you. I don’t need a dad like you!”

Joseph froze. The light in his eyes went out instantly. Tears slid down his face. His mouth opened, but nothing came out.

I took Carl’s hand and stood. Looking at Joseph, all the love we once had had long faded into dust. All that remained was a simple, weightless sentence.

“Joseph, we’re even.”

Then I turned and walked away, never looking back.

When we stepped out of the prison gates, sunlight poured down on us. I took a deep breath. It felt like the weight of ten suffocating years finally lifted.

Half a month later, the divorce decree arrived. I was officially free of Joseph. Because he was the at-fault party, the court ordered him to leave the marriage with nothing.

I didn’t feel even a trace of regret. I immediately put the house up for sale.

It was filled with ten years of grief and bitterness. I wanted none of it.

Carl and I moved to a small city in the south. Warm weather. Clean air.

I used the money from the house to buy a modest apartment. It wasn’t large, but it was ours. It was peaceful.

I enrolled Carl in a new elementary school. He adapted quickly, made new friends. His smile grew brighter each day. Gone was the fear, the insecurity.

After school, he would grab my hand and chatter excitedly about everything that happened that day.

Sometimes he’d throw his arms around my neck and say, “Mom, I’m really happy.”

Watching him laugh so freely, I finally felt my heart loosen, warmth blooming inside me.

The past ten years had been a long, suffocating nightmare. But now, the nightmare was over. The sunlight was warm. The breeze was gentle.

Holding Carl’s hand, I walked down the little road toward home. His laughter rang clear in the air.

And I knew, without a doubt, our new life was just beginning.