Paige's POV
"Alex, get down here this instant!" I yelled from the kitchen, trying to prepare breakfast while juggling my frustration. My six-year-old son's whiny reply echoed from upstairs, "I can't find my other shoe, Mum!" I groaned, hurrying to finish cooking. The clock was ticking, and I was already running late for work.
As I placed the pancakes on the plates, I called out, "Don't make me come up there!" Alex appeared in the doorway, his big blue eyes gazing up at me. I forced a calm tone, "Come eat, sweetie. We're running late, and I don't want to be tardy again." I glanced at the clock on the wall, feeling a sense of dread. Grayson, my boss, had already warned me about my tardiness, and I couldn't afford to be late again.
Alex hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper, "Mum... why aren't you eating?" My heart ached, but I pushed aside the pain. "That's not your concern, Alex. Just focus on your meal." I tried to sound firm but gentle, not wanting to worry him.
We finished breakfast in silence, and I rushed Alex out the door, feeling like I was already behind schedule. The morning rush hour traffic didn't help, and by the time I arrived at the office, I was flustered and apologetic.
Grayson scowled at me from his office doorway. "You're late again, Miss Moretti." I apologized, trying to sound sincere, but he cut me off. "Whatever is causing these issues, fix it. This is your second warning. I won't tolerate any more tardiness." He tossed a pile of files at me, dismissing me without another word.
As I sorted the documents, my mind wandered back to the past. After leaving my mother's house, I struggled to make ends meet, working multiple jobs to support myself and my unborn child. Alex's father had abandoned us, and I was left alone to face the challenges of single motherhood. The memories still stung, but I pushed them aside, focusing on the present.
My coworkers' whispers and judgments stung, but I kept my head down, focused on providing for Alex. He was my world now, and I'd do anything to protect him. I worked diligently, trying to prove myself, but it seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I was always an outsider.
Vanessa, the secretary, sneered at me from the doorway. "Your pathetic life is starting to show, Paige." I ignored her, arranging the papers on my desk. "What do you want, Vanessa?" I asked, forcing a polite tone.
"Grayson sent me to check on you. You're clearly not capable of handling this job." Her smirk twisted my heart, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break. "Okay," I said, my voice neutral.
As she left, I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Why did it have to be so hard? I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on my work. I couldn't let them get to me; I had to provide for Alex.
After picking Alex up from school, we walked home hand in hand. He looked up at me with those piercing blue eyes, his father's eyes. "Mum, there's a girl in my class... she said my dad didn't want me." My heart skipped a beat. I crouched down, lifting his chin to meet my gaze. "That's not true, baby. You're loved, and that's all that matters." I forced a smile, trying to reassure him.
He smiled back, and I kissed his forehead. "I love you too, Mum." We walked in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company.