THE BILLIONAIRE IS INFATUATED WITH HIS EX-LOVER
Chapter 21: Singal Mom

The expansive mansion was enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere. Since returning from Russell's residence, Mr. Roberts was seething with anger, yet seeing his daughter so dejected and without appetite, he couldn't bring himself to scold her. After all, Sara was his only flesh and blood; if she were to act recklessly out of despair, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Mr. Roberts instructed Mrs. Laly to take good care of Sara, as he would be too busy to come home frequently in the coming days. As his car pulled away, Mr. Roberts looked back with a heart heavy with sorrow, deciding to give Sara time to find her balance in life.

Sara lay sprawled on her bed, scrolling through Facebook on her phone, astounded by how infamous she had become in just a few days.

Suddenly, a message popped up from an acquaintance she had met at previous night parties but was farther away from.

"Sara, I heard you're pregnant, and the groom's family called off the wedding. What are you planning to do next? We're all apprehensive about you."

Sara tossed her phone aside with a bitter laugh, realizing she had become a joke to those idle gossip. The once proud and aloof girl was now seen as a failure, a source of public ridicule, subjected to whispers and scorn wherever she went. Looking at her reflection, she hardly recognized herself with her gaunt face and pale complexion. Her once soft, enticing lips were now dry and cracked, her bright, sparkling eyes dulled with sadness. It had been so long since she had bothered with makeup or dressing up, and her zest for life had significantly diminished.

She wasn't sure if she was sad or despicable, but wallowing in sorrow would give them more reason to boast.

With that thought, Sara sat up, changed into new clothes, applied her makeup to look beautiful, ate a hearty meal, and went outside. She needed to sort out the chaos of her current situation, especially to nourish herself well in preparation for motherhood.

Sara entered the shopping center and went directly to the baby clothing and accessories store. She was particularly charmed by the tiny gloves and socks. Her eyes lingered on soft gloves embroidered with a Pikachu design. Sara didn't know whether the baby would be a boy or a girl but believed they would suit either.

A young sales associate approached with a welcoming smile.

"May I help you find something specific today?"

Sara looked up, removing her glasses to reveal a fresh and beautiful face. The employee paused, recognizing her as the girl who had stirred the social media in recent days, and hesitantly made small talk.

Understanding the situation, Sara pretended not to notice, and the employee retreated to whisper to a colleague.

"I can't believe she has the nerve to show up here in such a crowded place. If it were me, I would've hidden away long ago."

"You'd think the wealthy were different, but no... even more shameless."

"I thought she'd have disappeared or died by now. Watching her act so calm and collected makes me sick. Who is she trying to fool?"

A clear throat abruptly cut off their conversation from behind them. They turned around, shocked to see Sara.

"Do you ladies have so much free time that you gossip about others? What does my situation have to do with you? Do you want me to report you to the manager for potential dismissal? Such a big store, a well-known brand, yet this is the quality of service?"

"Do you enjoy others' misfortune so much? Why not consider how you would feel if the roles were reversed, faced with disdain and contempt? Everyone makes mistakes; what do you know about me to judge? Instead of wasting time maligning others, why not improve your moral character? Being selfish, always seeking personal amusement, isn't the way."

"I'm sorry, we meant no harm," the oldest among the group stepped forward to apologize.

Seeing their suddenly fearful demeanor, a stark contrast from moments before, Sara silently mused, "Humans truly are the quickest-changing creatures on earth." Just a minute ago, they mocked and criticized her, and now they shrank back like cats in the rain.

Sara clicked her tongue, realizing that blaming them would only add to her own sense of dejection. Yet, living each day amidst such idle gossip proved exhausting.

At the toy store, Sara's eyes sparkled with delight at the sight of the charming toys, her heart wanting to buy them all. She picked up a tiny drum, enjoying its pleasant sounds, then toyed with a small bell, thinking, "The baby will surely love this."

Suddenly, she noticed a young couple in front of her, selecting toys for their baby. The father carried their little girl on his shoulders while the mother picked a cute Hello Kitty plush toy. The girl squealed with joy. "Mommy, doesn't this kitty look like mine?"

Watching the family's bliss, Sara felt a pang of envy. She had once dreamed of a complete family, but that was a luxury far beyond her grasp. Now, even her child would miss out on that completeness.

Overwhelmed, Sara rushed outside, finding solace in a secluded corner where she could cry unseen. She feared being the subject of ridicule once more. Despite always donning a facade of strength and indifference, she couldn't have anticipated the many unpredictabilities of life.

Caressing her growing belly, she comforted herself, "Thank you, my child, for giving me the strength to carry on. I promise to always protect you to the best of my ability."

Sara had resolved to be a single mother, a decision that demanded she be infinitely stronger. Deep down, she constantly reminded herself of this resolve but wondered if she could truly live up to it.