The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show

Chapter 425 - 427: Cold War

"Mommy, where did Daddy go? Why can’t I see Daddy anymore?"

Ian blinked his big eyes, tilting his head up to ask curiously.

Naomi Kenway’s hands stilled as she was organizing Ian’s backpack. A moment later, she smiled as if nothing was wrong. "Daddy’s been very busy with work lately. Do you miss Daddy?"

As Naomi Kenway spoke, she gently squeezed Ian’s soft little cheek.

Ian laughed as Naomi Kenway squeezed his cheek. "Mommy, stop pinching my face! If you keep doing that, it’ll get bigger, and I won’t be handsome anymore."

Naomi Kenway laughed. "Who told you that?"

"I figured it out myself! I don’t want to be cute. I want to be handsome like Daddy." As he spoke, he made a small fist, his soft, fair features tensing in a way that only made him look more adorable.

Smiling, Naomi Kenway adjusted his tie. "You’re already very handsome, and you’re only going to get more so."

Ian snuggled into Naomi Kenway’s arms, wrapping his own around her neck. He hadn’t forgotten their earlier conversation. "Can Daddy come home tomorrow? I miss him a little."

Naomi Kenway hesitated for a moment. "He’s away on a business trip. But if you miss him that much, I can call and tell him to hurry back."

Ian shook his head, ever the thoughtful child. "Let’s not call Daddy. I don’t want to bother him while he’s working."

"Such a good boy." Naomi Kenway reached out and booped the tip of Ian’s nose. "How about I take you to your lesson?"

Ian nodded obediently.

Naomi Kenway drove Ian to Master Preston’s house.

Master Preston was a virtuoso of traditional Chinese painting. Impressed by Ian’s natural talent, she had decided to take him on as her personal disciple. Since Ian had recently developed a passion for painting, it was a perfect match, and he now came for lessons every Sunday.

Mia Preston opened the door herself. She looked at the stunningly attractive mother and son on her doorstep and smiled warmly. "You’re here."

Naomi Kenway nodded with a smile. "I’ll leave Ian in your care, then. Thank you."

Ian politely greeted her, "Ms. Preston."

Mia Preston gently took Ian’s hand. "Don’t you worry. I treat Ian like he’s my own grandson."

She glanced around and asked with a smile, "Is Ian’s father not with you today?"

Sensing that Naomi Kenway’s expression was a little off, Mia Preston explained, "I only ask because you two usually come together."

Naomi Kenway lowered her head slightly. "He’s on a business trip. He probably won’t be coming for the next few days."

Mia Preston nodded. "Ah, I see." She smiled, the jade hairpin in her hair glowing in the sunlight. "Ms. Kenway and Mr. Shaw are so busy, yet you both always insist on bringing Ian here personally. It’s clear how much love and effort you pour into him."

She added, "Drive safe. And please feel free to come over and visit when you have time."

*

While having dinner with Chloe Murray, Naomi Kenway was still distracted. She clutched her drink, but after all this time, the level had barely gone down.

"Sweetie? Hey, sweetie, over here."

Chloe Murray waved a hand in front of Naomi Kenway’s face.

Naomi Kenway snapped out of it, took a sip of her drink, and asked, "What did you just say? I didn’t quite catch that."

Chloe Murray looked concerned. "You keep zoning out. Is something on your mind?"

"...No. I guess I’ve just been under a lot of pressure lately."

Chloe Murray’s heart ached for her. "Is it because filming is too exhausting? You silly goose, you have to take care of yourself no matter how busy you get. You have dark circles under your eyes—haven’t you been sleeping well?" Her tone turned stern. "I’m going to get angry if you keep neglecting your health like this! I’ll bring you lunch tomorrow when you’re back on set. I remember you love my mom’s cooking."

Naomi Kenway was deeply touched. "Okay."

"So, you didn’t finish telling me. What happened with Ethan Shaw after that?"

Naomi Kenway took a sip of her drink, composing herself. "We had a fight... or maybe it wasn’t really a fight. Anyway, he’s furious. He left yesterday afternoon and still hasn’t come home."

"What did you fight about? Why was he suddenly acting like that? I remember..." Chloe Murray sucked in a breath. "He was never like that before. Not after you got married, and not even before. The way he was yesterday... that wasn’t normal."

Then a thought struck her, and she hurriedly asked the question that concerned her most: "He looked like he was ready to kill someone yesterday. He didn’t hit you, did he?"

Naomi Kenway shook her head.

"Good. If he’d dared to lay a hand on you, he’d be dead! So, what exactly happened yesterday? Tell me all the details."

Naomi Kenway gave her a rough summary of the previous day’s events.

Chloe Murray was dumbfounded after hearing the story. "How could that even happen? How is Ethan Shaw so insecure? Caleb Bishop is a total loser. How could *he*, Ethan Shaw, possibly be a substitute for *him*? How could he believe something so ridiculous...?"

"It was partly my fault, too."

Chloe Murray tried to console her. "Oh, stop overthinking it. You did nothing wrong. This is all Ethan Shaw’s fault!"

Naomi Kenway couldn’t help but smile at how fiercely her friend defended her.

"So, what are you going to do now? Give him the cold shoulder? The silent treatment? A fight to the death?"

Naomi Kenway shook her head. "I think we should go back to our original arrangement—the contract. We’ll raise our child together. For now, I just hope he can sort himself out and come home so Ian doesn’t have to worry."

For some reason, Chloe Murray felt a pang of sympathy for Ethan Shaw. "You don’t have any feelings for him? At all? This is Ethan Shaw we’re talking about, the man whose photo broke the internet ten years ago. Shouldn’t you hold on tight to a ’blue-chip stock’ like that? Aren’t you worried he’ll get angry and put himself back on the market? What if you regret it later? I don’t want you to live with regrets..."

"I won’t regret it," Naomi Kenway answered quickly. "All men are the same. I don’t have any grand illusions about love; a partnership like ours is the most stable arrangement. If he really wants to be with someone else, I won’t force him to stay. I’ll just have to accept that it wasn’t meant to be..."

Chloe Murray nodded silently. Others might not understand Naomi Kenway, but as the best friend who had been by her side for so many years, Chloe knew exactly what kind of darkness she had endured. She squeezed Naomi’s hand. "No matter what happens, I support you. If Ethan Shaw really is gone for good, I can help you raise your little rascal. We can just fly off to Xylos. It’s a beautiful place, a wonderful country."

Naomi Kenway smiled and nodded. No matter what, she was incredibly lucky to have a friend like Chloe Murray.

*

That evening, just as Naomi Kenway was about to leave to pick Ian up, she was surprised to see him run into the living room from outside.

Slightly taken aback, Naomi Kenway knelt down to his level. "How come you’re home so early today?"

"Ms. Preston had something come up, so Daddy picked me up."

"Daddy? Ethan Shaw brought you home?"

Ian nodded.

"Then where is he? Where is he now?"

"Daddy said he’s been busy lately and won’t be able to come home for a few days. Mommy, do you miss him?"