Signed Mrs. Sterling Chapter 12
By the time I drove the two and a half hours back to the Sterling mansion on the Upper East Side with Leo, it was late at night.
I pushed open the front door to a scene of chaos.
Shattered teacup fragments littered the floor, and a large, dark stain soaked the carpet.
Vanessa was sitting on the sofa, elegantly scrolling through her phone, with a reality TV show blasting from the television.
Nearby, a nanny held Henry, whose left arm was an alarming shade of red and swollen, with only a cold towel pressed against it. His eyes were puffy from crying, and his voice was hoarse.
When he saw me walk in, Henry’s dull eyes instantly lit up.
He struggled out of the nanny’s arms and tried to run to me.
“Mommy!”
But as he passed Vanessa, she grabbed his arm.
“Now, now, Henry,” Vanessa said without even looking up from her phone. “Harrison was very clear. You two aren’t allowed to see each other without his permission. Did you forget? We wouldn’t want to violate the agreement.”
Her long fingers looked gentle, but they were digging into Henry’s shoulder with force.
The frightened nanny quickly scooped Henry back into her arms.
“Mommy! Take me with you! I don’t want to stay here with her!” Henry screamed, thrashing like a trapped animal.
Vanessa finally turned her head, saw me, and produced a sickeningly fake smile.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the former Mrs. Sterling. I guess I forgot to have security change the codes. Please leave immediately. This is private property. Or I’ll have to call the police and report you for trespassing.”
Her gaze then fell on Leo, who was holding my hand, and her expression turned venomous.
“What’s this? Found a stray to replace your son already?”
Leo, frightened by her sharp voice, hid behind my legs.
That sight was like a needle to Henry’s heart.
“Mommy… don’t you want me anymore?”
Henry pointed at Leo, sobbing uncontrollably. “Is it because of him? You don’t want me because you have a new little brother?”
I looked at Henry, my heart aching, but my mind was clearer than ever.
I walked slowly over to the coffee table and looked down at Vanessa.
Then, I picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Vanessa shrieked.
“I’m teaching you some manners, Vanessa.”