Bogus Billionaire By Shining Riviera

Caroline and Kirk were eating when they heard knocking on the door. She looked at the time and wondered aloud, “Who could be visiting us at this hour?”

“I’ll get the door,” said Kirk. He got up and headed toward the door. After peeking through the doorhole, his expression changed.

“Who is it?” asked Caroline.

She had just asked her question when Kirk opened the door to admit a haggard–looking Marietta. Caroline rushed to her and led into the house. “Mom, what happened to you?”

Marietta looked lifeless. “It’s confirmed that Yvonne is my daughter,” she mumbled.

“Isn’t this great news? Why do you look so-” Marietta started mumbling again, leaving Caroline’s sentence unfinished. Her voice was low, so Caroline couldn’t tell if she was talking to her, or simply mumbling to herself.

“But she doesn’t accept me as her mother,” Marietta muttered.

Caroline paled at her words and gripped Marietta’s hands to comfort her.

Kirk headed into the kitchen to pour Marietta a glass of water.

laced with concern.

her

her arms and said, “It’s fine, Mom. She might not accept it now, but she’ll surely

like a fragile little Carrie, do you think

canary.

felt her heart ache. Still, she didn’t know how

wasn’t her place to say anything. Only Marietta’s biological daughter could put in a word or two at a time

some water,” Kirk said as he

before. It suddenly dawned on her that Caroline and Kirk

interrupted you,” she said. “Please finish your meals. Don’t mind

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no big deal,” Caroline told her. “Have

how Yvonne had yelled at her to leave, and her heart broke at the thought. Still, she put on a smile as if to comfort herself. “Please continue. I’ll take a seat here in the living room. Pay me no

at Kirk. He reached his hand

at his response. She stared at him, puzzled.