Chapter 3

"Please, Fame! Don't follow me!" Jade's frustrated voice echoed through the bustling university hallways. The guy following her, Fame, who was annoyingly and persistently interested in her, got a harsh look from her.

Today was meant to be a joyful day because it was the result of years of hard work and sacrifice, but Fame had once again made her wait too long. Jade was glad that she wouldn't have to see him anymore. They would go their different ways after graduation, and she would no longer have to deal with his constant pursuits.

"Why do you avoid me all the time? I just want to take a picture with you and maybe have a fancy dinner with you. Why is that so bad?" Fame asked, giving off an inflated grin.

Jade halted abruptly and faced him, her hands tightly clenched. "Ow! I need to get somewhere quickly. My son and his babysitter are waiting for me," she yelled, cutting through his cockiness with her sharp tone.

Fame wavered for a moment, and his smile got a little tinier. He kept asking, "A son?" as if he was trying to figure out what was going on.

"Yes, Fame. I have a kid. And unlike you, I have responsibilities," Jade said with a glare that wouldn't go away.

Fame, who was also Filipino and was studying in New Zealand, was very rich and always liked to show it off. His confidence was almost cocky, and Jade didn't like how he didn't set limits for himself.

The man in question doesn't know what back off means. This made Jade mad. "If only he knew where I came from, he'd be speechless." She whispered to herself.

Jade came from a wealthy home and was their only child. The real estate business that her father ran was the biggest in the world, and her mother ran a chain of restaurants and clothing stores. Jade grew up in style, but her parents taught her that money doesn't last, and she still remembers that lesson.

She said, "I've told you before that I'm not interested in entertaining suitors. Nothing will ever change how much I love my son."

Fame laughed, and his confidence came back. "That doesn't bother me at all. I can take care of you and your son. I don't have to worry about money, Jade." He told her, "You'll never have to work again."

Jade rolled her eyes, getting more and angrier. His pride was stifling, and he was a stark reminder of the kind of person she hated. Even though she had a favorable upbringing, she valued humility and independence, which Fame definitely lacked.

"Fame, keep your money. I'm not impressed," she told him as she pushed him in the shoulder. Jade's mind was racing as she walked away. "I've had money all my life, so why would I be amazed by it now? My parents taught me that everything in the world is only temporary. Money can't go to the grave with you."

A familiar voice cut her off in the middle of her thoughts. "Mama!"

When Jade saw her son, Crown sitting in his stroller, she changed her face. His big smile made her feel better, and she ran over to him right away.

"My little Crown!" She squealed and picked him up in her arms. Crown laughed and reached out to grab her graduation cap with his big arms.

The old babysitter Beth, who had become like family, smiled warmly. "Good for you, Jade! I'm really proud of you." She said with a heavy heart, "I feel like I'm your parent too."

"Thank you, Beth! Thank you so much; I couldn't have done this without you," Jade told the older lady in a sincere hug.

It was true—Beth had been her rock while Jade studied and worked part-time. She took care of Crown. She did really well and graduated with honors, and Beth's help was a big part of that. "Come have fun with us, Beth. Let's go out to lunch—it's my treat," Jade said with a big smile. "Thank you, Jade. Let's remember this day!" Beth answered with excitement.

As they got ready to leave, Crown pulled on his mom's dress and tried to grab her cap with his little fingers. Jade laughed and gave it to him. He then watched him play with it, and his pure laughter.

"My little one is so cute!" Jade yelled and poked him in the cheeks to make him laugh. Crown pouted, and his face looked just like his dad's.

'D*mn, why does my boy look just like his dad?' A mixed pain was pulling at Jade's heart as she thought.

As she pushed Crown's stroller, Jade was filled with pride and happiness. It wasn't just about her today; it was also about Crown. She always looked to him as her biggest accomplishment and source of strength.

Beth said of Crown, "He really has a star quality about him," as they got to the restaurant.

Jade smiled, her love for her son making her heart grow. She had booked a table for this important event because she wanted to make a memory they would always remember.

Jade thought about her parents while they were waiting for their food. A deep sigh came out of her mouth. They hadn't heard from her since she left the Philippines.

"Jade, are you okay?" In a moment of quiet, Beth asked her.

Jade nodded and tried to smile. She said, "I was just thinking about my parents."

Beth put her hand on hers to comfort her. "Jade, they miss you. Give them time, and they'll understand why you made the choices you did. They will know you did your best now that you are a mother."

Jade said in a soft voice, "I hope so, Beth." She really missed her parents, and now that she was a mom, she knew they wanted to keep her safe.

As the meal went on, there was laughter and love. Crown clapped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Mama! Crown is very proud of you!"

Jade laughed, and tears were shining in her eyes. "Thank you, sweetheart!" She kissed him on the face and said, "Mama is proud of you too."

As they walked back to the car after lunch, Jade's phone rang. She frowned at the number she didn't know. When she replied, her heart was racing, and her voice was barely above a whisper. "Hello?" On the other end, there was a pause before a voice she knew spoke.

"Jade..."

Her mind stopped working, and she couldn't breathe. She got chills when she heard the voice she hadn't heard in years.