Clara Leo Daniel NovelHearing My Stepson’s Thoughts

Everyone could hear my seven-year-old stepsons thoughtsexcept me.
At Thanksgiving dinner, I carefully removed the shellfish he was allergic to from his plate. He hung his head, shoulders slumped.
[Grandma, Im scared! Stepmom said I dont deserve expensive food, but it smells so good!]
My mother-in-law slammed the table, stood up, and slapped me. You bitch! Is this how you treat my grandson?
Later, while pregnant and sick, I used an app to arrange a ride for Leo to school. He went down an hour early, crouching tearfully by the entrance.
[Ill be late Is she sending that uncle who hates Dad again?]
After that, I wasnt just the evil stepmotherrumors spread that I was unfaithful. When my husband Daniel confronted me, I had no defense, hoping our baby would calm him.
But Leo sighed from the corner.
[How do I tell Dad the baby is the other uncles?]
That broke Daniel. He dragged me to the rooftop and threw us both off.
When I opened my eyes, I was back at Thanksgiving, my cheek still stinging.
But this timeI could hear Leo too.

1.
At the dinner table, my mother-in-law heaped a generous serving of roasted potatoes onto Leos plate, her voice thick with pity.
Leo, darling, youve gotten so thin again. Havent you been eating properly?
My sister-in-law, sitting beside her, chimed in with a saccharine smile, her eyes dripping with contempt.
Oh, Mom, cant you see? Its obvious someone with a wicked heart has been deliberately starving him.
The kitchen had been a sweltering furnace, but my heart felt like it was encased in a block of ice.
The next second, Leo's thoughts flooded my mind, dripping with a carefully crafted, fake timidity.
[I want to tell Grandma that I never get enough to eat. At night, when Im hungry, I have to sneak sips of cold water to fill my stomach But if Stepmom finds out, shell hit me again.]
Leo timidly lowered his head, but I didnt miss the flash of venom in his eyes.
[Stepmom said the crab is too expensive, that Im just a useless waste of money who doesnt deserve it.]
[But it smells so, so good Maybe when shes done eating, I can secretly lick the plate. She wont find out, right?]
In my past life, this was how hed branded me the "evil stepmother." My mother-in-law had assaulted me in front of all our relatives, and when Daniel tried to defend me, shed screamed him into silence. I had tried to explain over and over that Leo was allergic to shellfish, but no one listened. My mother-in-law even worked herself up into such a state she had to be hospitalized.
Even Daniel had frowned, chiding me for arguing with his mother. And just like that, the labels child abuser and disrespectful daughter-in-law were permanently stuck to me. The tragic irony was that I genuinely believed I was the problem. I thought my communication skills were flawed, and I started obsessively rehearsing every word before I spoke, which eventually led to a spiral of severe depression and anxiety.
Only now, reborn, did I understand. It was all Leo. He had been using his strange ability to manipulate everyone, to orchestrate my expulsion from this family.
Just as his thought finished, my mother-in-laws face flushed a deep crimson.
So thats it! My son works himself to the bone to provide for this family, and you stay home abusing his child? Clara, hes seven years old! Is your heart made of stone?
I immediately put on a wounded expression, shaking my head frantically.
Mom, how can you say that? Leo is allergic to shellfish! I was just looking out for his health!
A flicker of excitement crossed Leos face, and his inner voice became even more pathetic.
[Why is Stepmom lying about my allergy? The doctor said Im just underdeveloped because of long-term malnutrition!]
My mother-in-law pounded the table, making the silverware jump.
He could eat anything when his real mother was around! The moment you show up, hes suddenly allergic to this and that!
Do you take us for fools? You think we cant see through your disgusting little schemes?
My sister-in-law piled on.
Clara, ever since you married my brother, Ive watched Leo get thinner and thinner. But you youve put on a few pounds recently, havent you?
And even if he is allergic, whats the harm in a few bites? Hes a growing boy, he needs the nutrition!
I lowered my eyes, pretending to be convinced, and gave a small nod.
Youre right. Mom, you and Sarah know best. I wasnt thinking clearly. You have more experience.
My mother-in-law snorted, then gestured for my sister-in-law to serve Leo. Sarah was quick, and in moments, a mountain of shrimp and crab meat was piled on Leos plate.
He devoured it like a wolf, occasionally glancing up to shoot me a look of pure triumph. I pretended not to notice, my eyes fixed on the angry red welts beginning to bloom across his neck.
Eat up! Theyve starved my poor grandson to skin and bones! my mother-in-law cooed.
Sarah nodded, but as her gaze swept over Leo, she suddenly shrieked.
Leo, youre having a reaction!
My mother-in-laws first instinct was fury.
Oh, so now youre worried about the cost too, are you?
She whipped her head around, her angry retort dying on her lips as she saw Leo clutching his throat, his face contorted in agony before he tipped backward out of his chair.

2.
In the hospital room, the doctors voice was a low, angry reprimand.
How could you be so irresponsible? You knew the child had a severe shellfish allergy and you let him eat that much? Another minute, and he would have been dead.
My mother-in-law puffed out her chest, trying to argue, but her bluster had deflated.