Chapter 49

"Hello, Mommy? You finally picked up my call." As soon as the call connected, Xavier's voice came through, cautious yet full of joy. He thought Julia had forgiven him, and that was why she picked up his call. "What is it?" she asked bluntly. Julia could hear the joy in his voice, but what remained in her heart was merely a sense of responsibility between mother and son. "Mommy…" Upon sensing her indifference, Xavier held back his tears and forced a cheerful tone as he said, "Mommy, I got a perfect score on my test. I've been studying hard and being obedient." Julia's tone remained indifferent as she replied, "That's good." There was no pride nor joy in her voice, as if his performance didn't matter to her anymore. Xavier didn't wait for Julia to praise him, already feeling aggrieved and disappointed. "Mommy, you were the first one I told about my perfect score—I haven't even told Daddy yet. Aren't you going to praise me?" he asked. In the past, even when he didn't get a perfec