The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 17

But Rebecca wasn’t buying any of it.

“A gentleman called me earlier. He said you punctured his tire.”

Ethan froze, then lifted his big, innocent eyes to hers and blinked. “Mom, you already know?”

Rebecca tapped her finger against his forehead. “You little rascal, did you really think you could keep this from me?”

Just thinking about the $250,000 in damages made her heart ache all over again.

Ethan pouted, his cheeks coloring with embarrassment as he tried to defend himself. “Mom, I had a reason for slashing his tire.”

Rebecca fixed him with a steady, no-nonsense gaze. “I don’t care what your reason was. Picking on strangers is always wrong, and you definitely shouldn’t go around damaging someone else’s property. I’ll cover for you this time, but I can’t spend my whole life cleaning up your messes.”

Ethan ducked his head and listened intently as Rebecca spoke.

“I’m sorry, Mom...”

“Next time, no matter what happens, you need to stay calm. Don’t ever act reckless—understand?”

“Yeah!” Ethan nodded earnestly, eager to show he understood.

Rebecca folded her arms across her chest. “Alright, then tell me—why did you do it?”

Ethan bit his lip and mumbled, “That man said we don’t have a dad, and nobody taught us any manners.”

Rebecca paused, then realization dawned across her face.

“But what I heard was that you were running out in the street and nearly got hit by his car. Is that true?”

Ethan’s head drooped again.

Rebecca frowned. “That’s really dangerous, Ethan. If something had happened, I might never see you again.”

Ethan’s voice was barely a whisper. “I’m sorry, Mom…”

She looked him in the eye. “Do you really understand what you did wrong?”

Ethan nodded, completely sincere.

“Good. Since you know you’re wrong, your punishment is to run ten laps around the yard.”

None of them answered.

Ethan, seeing his brothers watching the whole thing, blushed scarlet with embarrassment.

Noah stepped forward, looking Rebecca right in the eye. “Mom, I’m responsible too. I knew Ethan had punctured the tire, but I didn’t tell you. I should be punished with him.”

Ethan glanced at Matthew, his eyes suddenly glassy with emotion. He could barely get the words out. “Noah, you’re the best.”

Rebecca regarded the stone-faced, serious Noah for a moment, then gave a small nod.

“Alright. You can be punished together.”

She’d always been fair with her kids—no playing favorites.

Rebecca gave them a cool glance, then turned back to Ethan. “No slacking off out there. Run properly!”

“Yes, Mom!” Ethan nodded so hard it looked like his head might fall off, then trotted out to the yard, starting his laps at a determined jog.

Noah ran alongside him, and the two brothers encouraged each other, quickly finding their rhythm as they circled the yard.