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

interrupted, still wondering where

no mother would want their daughter, whom they raised for over twenty years, to ask if they’re related by blood.

then Tell me. Don’t keep it to yourself. Sharon grew

with her fingers and took in a deep breath. Maybe

my oten.

was … adopted?”

locked a nervous gaze on her mother as complex feelings like worry and suspicion sprouted in her

unexpected question,

did you know?” She subconsciously clenched her fists, her heart beating

formed in her mind, roughly confirming the suspicions she had

“Mom, no matter what happened in the past, you’re still

she thought she could bring the secret.

believe you found out about

was as if the blood in her vessels had solidified from all the anxiety she was feeling.

I tried looking for your parents after realizing what had happened, but they were nowhere to be found. At that time, all you had was a necklace. I was sure it was from your family, so I kept it, thinking you’ll have a token when you decide to look for your real parents one day. I’m sorry, Christina. I was too heartbroken at that time, so

was partially concealed by her lowered eyelids. It was taking her some time to

they give me a token and leave just

was 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 for

Mom kept the truth from me for so many years because she

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

her phone

the caller ID and answered it. “Bailey, I feel horrible today. Can you

happened to find a great place today

a text

information into the navigation system and soon arrived at the club-the one Nathaniel

as Christina stepped into the building. Bailey leil her into a VIP

crowded, and everyone was enjoying themselves.

music and loud laughter filled