A Crazy Night Novel

As soon as Christina spoke, she heard footsteps behind her.

Turning around, she found herself gazing into Nathaniel’s eyes.

What a coincidence! Nathaniel shows up every time we say something about him. Did he put a wiretap in this house?

Nathaniel lifted Lucas and slung his schoolbag onto his shoulder. “It’s time to go to school, Lucas.”

“But Camila is sick. I want to stay and take care of her.” Lucas pursed his lips and blinked, trying to appeal to his father.

“There are plenty of people at home to look after her. You need to get to school on time.” As he spoke, Nathaniel marched toward the door with Lucas in his arms.

Having not seen his mother for a long time, Lucas was reluctant to attend kindergarten. Besides, he could recite the syllabus with his eyes closed.

He was determined to remain by his mother’s side. To that end, he clutched his stomach and yelled, “Ow! My stomach hurts! I don’t think I can go to school.”

Nathaniel scowled. He was fine earlier, and now he’s having a stomachache at the prospect of going to school. Nice try.

“I don’t care what hurts. You will go to school,” he insisted, his voice becoming dangerously soft.

Lucas’ panic grew when his father was about to leave the house with him. “Help, Mommy! It hurts so bad!”

Watching him gnash his teeth in agony, Christina became convinced that he was telling the truth. Concerned, she ran after the pair and stopped them.

“Didn’t you hear him say that he’s not feeling well?” Christina strode over and snatched Lucas out of Nathaniel’s arms.

Like a koala, Lucas clung to his mother. Thank God for Mommy. She loves me more than Daddy does.

Nuzzling against Christina’s bosom, he did not dare meet his father’s gaze for fear of being discovered.

“Where does it hurt? Show me.” Christina carried Lucas in and sat him down on the couch.

was not in pain, but he pointed arbitrarily nonetheless.

of illness is

Lucas anxiously. “Don’t worry, Lucas. I’ll take you to the

trotted over. “Don’t be scared, Lucas.

innocent words. “You can’t share your medicine, Camila. Stomachaches require a different

“I understand,

witty and outspoken, while

summoned the doctor. He’s coming to examine you and give you a jab if you’re

Lucas feared the needle. At the prospect of getting jabbed, he gave a

to school is infinitely preferable to

jumped up. “It doesn’t hurt anymore, Mommy. I’d

another word, he got to his feet, looking

so sickly earlier, he’s looking much better

in sick for you if you don’t want to attend

“I understand, Mommy. I

then, the family doctor turned

her mother’s arms while

better, but she needs to continue taking her medication until her coughing stops. Remember to have plenty

her medicine and sketched while she stayed with her.

to put her to sleep. Christina glanced at the clock and, upon realizing it was

lay in bed together. Amid the soft lull of nursery rhymes Christina crooned, the children

sound asleep before leaving

phone upon arriving home, she found that Lina had called her many times and left multiple text

a time. She asked Lina to send the documents to

unwell. After learning via a series of questions that it was nothing

password even after all those years. She keyed in the login credentials, and

her at once, and she

when we visited the amusement park? I can’t