Let Me Stay The Night

Perturbation brimmed in Lucas’ doe-like eyes.

It’s all my fault. I caused Mommy to be scolded.

Dabbing off the sweat on the child’s head with a handkerchief, Nathaniel reminded the former, “Don’t do it again. It’s fine if you had just broken the shelf, but what if the books had hit your head?”

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” said Lucas with a pout.

“You’re all sweaty. Come on. I’ll give you a shower.” Christina got to her feet and pulled Lucas along to the bathroom.

After the door closed, Nathaniel’s gaze moved up until it found the shelf’s topmost level.

The books were arranged neatly, but the sequence was incorrect.

Christina did not sleep well because of what she learned. Hence, she drove to the hospital early the next day.

Sharon looked much better compared to the last time Christina saw her. Clearly, the former had rested well.

“Mom, I’m here. Do you want some grapes?” Christina approached the hospital bed and opened up the container filled with cleaned fruits.

Sharon was delighted to see her daughter, and a smile tugged at her lips. “Okay.”

Hearing Sharon’s response, Christina peeled the fruit’s skin and popped them into the former’s mouth. The bond between the two was strong after having to depend on each other for so many years. Hence, the news that the woman in front of her was not her biological mother put Christina at a loss.

She had no idea how to handle it.

“Christina, you dropped a grape. What are you thinking so deeply about?” asked Sharon with concern..

Only then did Christina realize the grape had slipped from her fingers.

“My hands slipped,” explained Christina awkwardly. She then picked up the grape with a piece of tissue and tossed it into the bin.

Christina’s strange behavior worried Sharon. “What’s wrong? Did you and Nathaniel get into a fight?”

Christina’s eyelids drooped to avoid her mother’s gaze. For a moment, she did not know how to answer the latter’s question. “No…”

to comfort her. “Is Nathaniel giving you less attention because he’s usually swamped at work? It’s normal since men are

interrupted, still wondering

the point? I mean, no mother would want their daughter, whom they

it to yourself. Sharon grew

with her fingers and took in a deep breath. Maybe I should just ask her instead of making

on my oten.

… adopted?”

on her mother as complex feelings like worry and suspicion sprouted

by the unexpected question, and her pupils constricted.

clenched her fists,

Christina saw Sharon’s reaction, a guess formed in her mind, roughly confirming the

and stared at the latter intently. “Mom, no matter what happened in the past,

hold back her tears. After all, she thought she could bring the secret. she had

so many years. I can’t believe you found out about it so

mother’s words. It was as if the blood in her vessels had solidified from all the

be found. At that time, all you

It was taking her some time

me? Why did they give me a token and leave just

too overwhelmed by her emotions that she could not comfort her crying mother. All she could manage was, “Rest well, Mom. I don’t blame you

kept the truth from me for so many years because she

as though. her mind was going to explode from all the thoughts running through

her phone

and answered it. “Bailey, I feel horrible today.

happened to find a great place today to have some fun. Let’s go

Christma received a text

into the navigation system and soon arrived at the club-the one Nathaniel had brought her

the building. Bailey leil

enjoying themselves. No one realized Christina had

of blasting music and loud laughter filled the venue.