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…”

the young lady’s hesitance, Sharon gently patted the former’s hand to comfort her. “Is Nathaniel giving you less attention because he’s usually swamped at work?

Mom,” Christina interrupted, still

no mother would want their daughter, whom

to yourself. Sharon grew more concerned the longer

a deep breath. Maybe I

on my

… adopted?”

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

stunned by the unexpected question, and her pupils constricted.

subconsciously clenched her fists, her heart beating like a drum.

formed in her mind, roughly confirming the suspicions she had been having for a

stared at the latter intently. “Mom, no matter what happened in the past, you’re still the mom I love

thought she

so many years. I can’t believe you found out about it so soon. I didn’t mean to

the blood in her vessels had solidified from all

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 I brought you back to the Steele residence…”

lowered eyelids. It was taking her some time to process all the information

my parents want me? Why did they give me a token and leave just like

comfort her crying mother. All she could manage was, “Rest well,

so many years because she feared I might get angry when I found out about it.

and traveled home, feeling as though. her mind was going to explode from all the thoughts running through it.

her phone

and answered it. “Bailey, I feel

find a great place today to have some fun.

received a text from Badley

the navigation system and soon arrived at the

as Christina stepped into the building. Bailey leil her into

everyone was enjoying themselves. No

blasting music and loud laughter filled the