The Substitute Bride Is Reborn and Loves Her Husband No more - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Her mother competes with her for her son.

The question caught Rose off guard. Was this the question her mother was supposed to ask her?

She had expected her mother to start by saying something harsh before moving on to anything else. Rose scolded herself, realizing how foolish she was for letting her past emotions resurface.

Even though she wanted to ignore the question with a hiss, she reminded herself that Mrs. Stella was still her mother. Ignoring her would serve no purpose. Rose already sensed that her mother wouldn’t let her leave easily—she would likely be stuck here for a long time.

Rose didn’t bother faking a smile. Instead, she answered in a tone that reflected the emotions in her heart.

“I’ve been doing a lot of things outside—better things than when I was here. Going outside was the best thing that ever happened to me… it was really better, Mother.” Her eyes locked onto her mother’s as she spoke, her gaze firm and unwavering, her words forcing a cheerful front.

Her mother smirked before responding, “I can see the ‘improvements’ going outside has brought you… those improvements brought you back here with a bastard son, I see.”

The last part of her mother’s words wasn’t spoken aloud but was instead conveyed through the telepathic connection her mother’s werewolf side enabled. Werewolves could speak mind-to-mind when they wished to share private thoughts.

Rose silently thanked God that her mother hadn’t said those words aloud. If she had, Tobi might have become curious enough to ask about the meaning of the word “bastard,” and that was a conversation Rose wasn’t ready to have.

Rose cleared her throat, her face turning more serious. She glanced at Tobi, who sat quietly beside her, and then looked back at her mother. “I am honored to have received good things from outside, Mother. Tobi is my blessed child—a gift given to me. I don’t care what you think or say about him. I came here assuming you had something important to tell me, but it seems I was wrong. I have no idea what game you’re playing.”

Mrs. Stella laughed at Rose’s words, her laughter escalating until she stood up and moved closer, sitting beside Tobi. “Grandson, who is your father, hmm? Don’t you have one? Do you have no father at all?”

Tobi raised his tiny head and looked at the elegant older woman, who was as pretty as his mother. He didn’t respond. His mommy had told him that the older lady was like the wicked stepmother in Snow White and that he should never answer any of her questions. So, Tobi simply shook his head and remained silent.

Mrs. Stella raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his reaction. Her smile widened.

“It seems Rose told this little boy not to talk to me. He’s very obedient—more obedient than my so-called daughter ever was. I like obedient children.”

Just like that, Mrs. Stella’s interest in Tobi grew.

She laughed, pinching Tobi’s cheeks gently. “Grandson, did your mommy tell you not to talk to your grandma? Is that why you’re staying so quiet?”

Tobi shook his head again, refusing to answer. His mommy had told him not to talk, and he was determined to obey her.

Mrs. Stella wasn’t angered by Tobi’s silence. Instead, her smile deepened as her curiosity and interest in the boy grew.

Rose’s heart felt like it was being squeezed, leaving her struggling to breathe. Tobi was doing well by following her instructions, but her mother’s actions scared her. Mrs. Stella was unpredictable, and her current demeanor unsettled Rose.

The conversation her mother was having with Tobi wasn’t what Rose had expected. She had braced herself for something far worse—perhaps for her mother to call Tobi a bastard or, worse, harm him physically.

All sorts of weird thoughts came to Rose’s mind, and she feared that the worst was about to happen. She thought her mother might hurt Tobi emotionally or even manipulate him against her. But none of that happened—her mother was surprisingly calm, talking to Tobi like a loving grandmother.

“She’ll start sweetly with your son, make him like her, and then slowly control him, turning him against you. She’ll separate your son from you. Don’t let her succeed.”

A tiny voice whispered in Rose’s mind, and she couldn’t ignore it.

It made sense. This could very well be her mother’s ultimate plan: to make Tobi love her, only to hurt him later, just as she had hurt Rose.

Rose took a deep breath and subtly signaled Tobi with her eyes.

Tobi noticed his mommy winking at him and turned his small head to look at her curiously. As he did, Mrs. Stella also turned her head toward Rose, mimicking Tobi’s movement.

Rose felt her heart skip a beat.

Mrs. Stella chuckled, then frowned. “What are you doing, Rose? What are you saying to the child? Do you not want him to associate with his grandmother? Tobi, look at this—your mother doesn’t want you to talk to me.”

Her voice suddenly softened, sounding like someone who was deeply hurt.

Tobi looked at the older woman, who now seemed on the verge of tears, and felt confused. His mommy had told him not to speak to the “elderly witch,” but seeing her cry made him feel sad.

He was torn inside.

Unable to decide, he turned inward and asked Darius in his mind, “Brother, Mommy said I shouldn’t talk to the elderly witch, but she’s so sad. Should I say something to her?”

Darius, who lived within Tobi, immediately responded. His childish voice was cold and firm, devoid of any playfulness.

“Listen to our mother. Do you want her to feel sad or disappointed with you?”

Hearing Darius’s words, Tobi nodded internally. He kept his small head down and continued staring at Mrs. Stella. His lips parted slightly as if to speak, but no words came out.

Mrs. Stella’s smile stiffened, becoming slightly awkward. While she was beginning to like her grandson, his refusal to speak annoyed her.

“No one has ever ignored me before. Everyone bows to me and listens when I speak. I dominate whomever I want to dominate. How does this little bun dare to defy me? Who gave my daughter the upper hand here? She’s not more charming than me,” Mrs. Stella thought angrily, her mind racing with frustration.

In an awkward attempt to mask her feelings, she reached out and gently rubbed Tobi’s head.

Rose had had enough. She refused to give her manipulative mother any more time to influence her son.

“Son, are you thirsty? I brought your milk,” Rose said sweetly, smiling as she pulled out a bottle of milk from her bag.

Tobi’s face lit up at the sight of the milk. He eagerly ran to his mommy, his tiny feet pattering as he moved. Grabbing the bottle, he began drinking, his mouth dry from staying silent for so long.

Rose watched him with a satisfied smile, relieved that her plan to draw Tobi away from her mother had worked.

Mrs. Stella clenched her fists, her irritation growing as she watched how easily Rose had taken Tobi from her.

Tobi sat next to his mommy, happily swinging his short legs while drinking his milk.

“Darius, do you want to share? My mouth was so dry,” Tobi asked in his mind.

“No, my mouth isn’t dry,” Darius replied coolly. “When you were thirsty, I wasn’t. I’m fine.”

Tobi smiled and closed his eyes, enjoying his milk while Darius remained silent within him.

Mrs. Stella’s awkward smile faded, and her expression turned serious as she watched the interaction between Rose and Tobi.