Let Me Stay The Night

Christina treated Yerek’s words as if they were a joke. “How could you, an outsider, claim to know my identity better than I do?”

Yerek responded with an amused look and countered, “What if it’s something that has been kept from you?”

Christina’s e eyes narrowed, and it felt as if time stood still, even though only a few seconds had passed.

She had never questioned her identity before this moment.

In her mind, she simply had a despicable father figure and had no desire to delve into her past ever again. It was enough for her to live peacefully with her mother for the rest of her days.

“You can’t possibly know more about me than I do, especially if it’s something I’m completely unaware of. so drop it,” Christina firmly stated, refusing to entertain Yerek’s claims. She turned around, intending to leave.

“Your last name isn’t Steele, and you’re not the daughter of Gideon and Sharon. You are the eldest. daughter of the Gibson family from Hallsbay.” Yerek revealed through gritted teeth.

Though reluctant, Yerek saw this as the best way to break her and Nathaniel apart.

Christina halted in her tracks and narrowed her eyes as she processed Yerek’s words.

Noticing Christina’s hesitation, Yerek handed her a folder he had prepared earlier.

“Take a look at these documents. If you find them incomplete, perhaps Nathaniel’s study holds the information you’re seeking,” he suggested.

With a mix of speculation and doubt swirling in her mind. Christina accepted the folder.

She left the hotel and drove back to Scenic Garden Manor.

Upon entering her room, Christina wasted no time opening the folder, causing its contents to spill onto

the surface before her.

However, instead of directly addressing her background and identity, she discovered a newspaper cutting. The article recounted an incident that had taken place over twenty years ago. It described the collapse of a real estate site owned by Hadley Corporation, resulting in a trapped car and the death of one passenger, as well as severe injuries to another.

Charlie, who had still been the CEO of Hadley Corporation at that time, had publicly apologized for the

tragic event.

tried to connect the dots between this incident and her own life,

by her growing curiosity, Christina decided to seek answers in

displayed neatly stacked folders and a sleek pen holder housing

Christina found nothing of relevance. Frustrated, she shifted

that would shed light on her

question if Yerek had once again deceived

you doing?” A deep, husky voice startled Christina out of her reverie, causing

thought I could help organize your shelves since I have some free time,” she

housekeeper,” Nathaniel insisted, firmly grabbing her wrist and

so cold?” he asked.

pulling her hand away. Unaware that Nathaniel had entered the study while she was engrossed in her search, she had broken into a nervous sweat, causing her

breeze filled the room. Perplexed,

dark.” Nathaniel

figures-Lucas and Camila-burst into the room. They joyfully ran toward Christina and wrapped their tiny arms around her legs. “Mommy, Grandma had the driver send a

at Christina with innocent eyes and added, “Mommy, let’s go downstairs and have

have some cake. But we should get Daddy to come along

to Nathaniel and grabbed his hand. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “How could we let Daddy miss out on something so good? Right?” she said, punctuating

not having a sweet tooth, couldn’t resist

all four of them

Christina took Lucas and

them into

following day. Nathaniel left early for work, even

basking in the gentle morning light

being on holiday. Lucas and Camila chose to stay by their mother’s side rather

restlessness grew, the two siblings began a spirited game of soccer right in the study. Before long, the room echoed with the sound of documents and

etched with worry.

sheepish smile, he admitted, “No, but all the books are on the ground

told