Amber Demands Answers About Co-Parenting Surprise — Then A Hidden Document Reveals Jamal’s True Motive
Chapter 6 — The Mandatory Orientation Notice — Then Jamal’s Real Plan Unravels
Director Vance leaned closer to his office webcam.
The crisp lines of his tailored gray suit framed the video feed.
“Both parents are required to attend this orientation session together,” the director continued.
“It is a strict institutional policy for all incoming students.”
Jamal slumped back down into his kitchen chair.
His shoulders curved inward.
The aggressive posture he had maintained just moments before evaporated completely.
He stared down at the wooden countertop between his hands.
“You heard him, Amber,” Jamal muttered, his voice dropping into a flat, defensive tone.
“It’s mandatory.”
“You arranged this entire thing behind my back,” Amber said.
She kept the smartphone angled firmly away from him.
“You filled out the applications. You scheduled the meetings. You even used joint funds for the deposit.”
“I did it because it’s a good school,” Jamal snapped, his eyes flashing with sudden irritation.
“Do you have any idea how competitive it is to get a child into that program?”
“I know it’s expensive,” Amber said.
“And I know you didn’t consult me once.”
“Because you would have hesitated,” Jamal said, his voice rising.
“You always overthink every single decision regarding his education. I wanted to handle it. I wanted us to look like we had our act together.”
Amber stared at him across the kitchen island.
“Look like we had our act together?”
“Yes,” Jamal admitted, crossing his arms over his chest.
“To the new social circle. To the community.”
“This isn’t about Leo’s education at all,” Amber said, the realization finally solidifying in her mind.
“You wanted to show up at that orientation with a complete family unit.”
“We are his parents,” Jamal argued stubbornly.
“Walking in there together projects stability. It projects a united front to the other families and the faculty.”
“You wanted to project an image,” Amber said.
Her voice was dangerously quiet.
“You didn’t care about what Leo actually needs, or what I wanted. You wanted a shiny accessory for your new social life.”
“That is completely unfair,” Jamal protested.
“It’s the truth,” Amber replied.
“You staged a surprise enrollment just so you could parade us around a private academy auditorium tomorrow morning.”
The video feed on the phone screen crackled slightly as Director Vance cleared his throat.
“Mrs. Cooper,” the director interjected, his tone formal.
“If you cannot commit to the joint attendance policy tomorrow, we will have to forfeit the enrollment slot to the next family on our waitlist.”
Amber looked down at the screen.
She looked at the older man waiting for an answer.
“I will review the paperwork tonight, Mr. Vance,” Amber said evenly.
“I will make my own decision regarding my son’s schooling. Not my ex-husband’s image.”
“Very well,” the director replied, his expression unreadable.
“I expect an official confirmation by midnight.”
The video call disconnected with a sharp digital click.
The screen reverted to the black lock background.
Amber tossed the device onto the wooden counter.
It slid a few inches before coming to a stop near Jamal’s coffee mug.
Jamal didn’t reach for it.
He sat in silence, staring at the white cabinets across the room.
The front door clicked open with a familiar rattle of the brass handle.
Footsteps echoed softly down the front hallway.
A heavy canvas backpack dropped onto the tile floor near the mudroom bench.
Leo walked into the bright kitchen from the backyard.
