Chapter 8 The Ungrateful Son
While Vincent was busy working, his phone buzzed with a text message. He picked it up and saw a notification that a recent charge of over 400 thousand dollars had just gone through.
The card Queenie was using was a supplementary card linked to Vincent’s account, so he got alerts whenever she made a purchase. He took a quick look at the message and then put his phone back on the desk.
Vincent never questioned Queenie’s spending. To him, that amount of money didn’t matter much.
Since the ownership transfer wasn’t finalized, the dealership told Queenie to come pick up the car tomorrow. They would take care of everything, and she only needed to show up the next day. So Nathan drove her home.
“Hey, Nathan, you know a lot of people. Can you help me find a good place near the institute? After the divorce, I’ll need somewhere to live,” Queenie said. She liked to plan to avoid last-minute stress.
“Why bother to buy one? I have a few places you could choose from. Just pick one and move in,” Nathan advised.
“I want to buy my own,” Queenie replied firmly.
Nathan looked at her, understood what she meant, and nodded. “Okay, I’ll ask around.”
“Thanks.” To avoid any trouble, Queenie had Nathan drop her off at the corner of the street.
*****
Queenie walked home from the corner. Linda wasn’t there. The maid told her that Archie had returned and gone straight to his room.
After tidying up a bit, Queenie went to Archie’s room. She knocked on the door but got no answer, so she opened the door and walked in.
Archie jumped in surprise. When he saw Queenie, he quickly tried to hide the Lego set he was working on and said, “Mommy, how many times do I have to tell you? Knock before you come in!”
“I did knock. You didn’t respond, so I thought you were asleep,” Queenie replied.
Archie was stumped for a moment.
“What do you want to eat for dinner tonight?” Queenie asked.
“Anything,” Archie said, sounding a bit impatient.
Queenie nodded and stepped back out. Earlier, she noticed Archie was building a Lego model of a person. Though it was only halfway done, it was clear he was making Vivian.
In two days, it would be Vivian’s birthday, and Queenie’s, too. Having the same birthday brought them close and made them best friends.
In the past, they would celebrate together, make wishes, blow out candles, and wish each other happy birthday. But ever since Queenie married Vincent, they hadn’t celebrated together again.
Since then, Queenie hadn’t celebrated her birthday, either. Nobody in the Melendez family ever remembered it, not even her cherished son.
*****
Queenie went downstairs and learned that Linda wouldn’t be back for dinner, so she asked the kitchen to prepare something simple.
The staff found it strange. Queenie used to handle all the meals and chores herself without letting anyone else help out. But for the last few days, she hadn’t even stepped into the kitchen.
When dinner was ready, Queenie sent a maid upstairs to call Archie down. She sat at the table and started eating.
When Archie walked in and saw the meal, his expression changed. “What is this? I wanted shrimp and salmon. Mommy, why didn’t you make them for me?”
Queenie calmly answered, “I asked what you wanted, and you said anything.”
At that moment, Queenie realized that Archie’s spoiled behavior was partly her fault. She had pampered him too much, but that was about to change. Whether he learned to appreciate her was up to him.
Archie was caught off guard, recognizing he was wrong, but he threw a small tantrum. “Fine, I’m not eating then.”
“Suit yourself,” Queenie replied, continuing to eat. ‘Let him skip a meal. He won’t starve to death,’ she thought.
Archie waited for a long time, but Queenie didn’t come to comfort him. He felt a wave of disappointment. In the past, when he got upset, she would always try to cheer him up. Her silence made him more frustrated.
He jumped off his chair and stormed back to his room, fuming. He was really angry now, thinking,’Even if Mommy tries to cheer me up later, it won’t work this time.’
Queenie ignored him. After finishing dinner, she went back to her own room.
She wasn’t sure if Vincent was home. After her shower, she went straight to bed.
After a long day at work, she was completely exhausted. With everything on her plate, she really didn’t have the energy to overthink things.
*****
Vincent checked his phone and noticed it was already past midnight. It was completely quiet with no notifications at all.
“Vincent, what are you doing, staring at your phone all night? Come on. Have a drink,” one of his buddies said.
Vincent set his phone aside, grabbed his glass, and downed it in one shot. ‘So she’s playing hard to get, huh?’ he thought, a bigger smirk spreading across his face.
At the same time, Archie woke up feeling hungry and annoyed. He couldn’t believe that Queenie hadn’t come to check on him or comfort him all night.
Upset, he got up and stomped into Queenie’s room. Seeing her sleeping peacefully only made him angrier, so he nudged her. “Mommy, I’m hungry.”
“Oh,” Queenie mumbled and rolled over to go back to sleep.
Archie was dumbfounded. He nudged her again. “I said I’m hungry!”
Finally, Queenie dragged herself out of bed.
Seeing her finally wake up, Archie felt a bit smug.
However, Queenie pushed him out of the room. “You didn’t want dinner, so now you’re hungry? Just bear with it.” She closed the door, locked it, and went back to bed.
Since Vincent usually came home late, Queenie hadn’t bothered locking her door. ‘Guess I’ll have to start locking the door if I want some peaceful sleep,’ she thought.
Archie stood outside, stunned. Queenie’s sudden indifference hit him hard. He felt abandoned, as if his mom didn’t care for him anymore. His nose started to tingle, and his eyes got red. He wiped his tears and shuffled back to his room.
Vincent got home at one in the morning. When he tried the bedroom door and found it locked, his face fell. Without saying a word, he turned and marched off to the study, his figure cold and distant, like a frozen statue.
*****
Queenie slept all night deeply and felt more rested than she had in years. When she woke up, she was full of energy. After getting ready and doing her makeup, she made her way downstairs.
In the dining room, Vincent and Archie were sitting together, both looking upset as they picked at their breakfast.
Queenie chose to ignore them, sat down, and enjoyed her meal at her own pace. Nathan had just texted to say he would be over soon to pick her up, so she wasn’t in a rush.
Vincent finished eating and walked out without saying a word to her.
Archie, copying Vincent, also wore a sour expression and acted as if Queenie weren’t there.
Queenie paid him no attention and continued to eat her breakfast.
Frustrated, Archie slammed his fork down. But when Vivian’s video call came in, all his anger disappeared instantly.
“Vivian, you finally called. I haven’t seen you in two days. I missed you so much!” Archie exclaimed.
