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.

the dots between this incident and her own life, but Yerek’s words lingered in her mind, urging

curiosity, Christina decided to seek answers in

the spacious study, the table displayed neatly stacked folders and a

her thorough search for clues on the study table, Christina found nothing of relevance. Frustrated, she shifted her attention to the bookshelves, meticulously

light

leaving her to question if Yerek had once again deceived her.

Christina out of her reverie,

face Nathaniel. “I thought I could help organize your shelves since I

housekeeper,” Nathaniel insisted, firmly grabbing her

are your hands so cold?” he asked.

away. Unaware that Nathaniel had entered the study while she was engrossed in her search, she

summer breeze filled the room. Perplexed, he couldn’t understand why Christina’s hands were

chilling wind since it’s getting dark.” Nathaniel got up and closed

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

innocent eyes and added, “Mommy, let’s go

right, let’s go have some cake. But we should get Daddy to come along too,” Christina replied, reaching down to hold Lucas’

eyes. “How could we let Daddy miss

tooth, couldn’t resist his daughter’s

and all four of them happily headed

took Lucas

them into bed.

Nathaniel left early for work, even though it was a

in the gentle morning light

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

siblings began a spirited game of soccer right in the study. Before long, the room echoed with the

up from her work, her face etched with worry. “Are you two hurt?”

his head. With a sheepish smile, he admitted, “No, but all the books are on the ground now.”

Lucas, “I told you not to play