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? It’s normal since men are the breadwinners. As a

it, Mom,” Christina interrupted, still wondering where she should

get upset if I go straight to the point? I mean, no mother would want their daughter, whom

yourself. Sharon grew more concerned

took in a deep breath. Maybe I

on my oten.

was …

on her mother as complex feelings like worry and suspicion sprouted in

unexpected

clenched her fists, her heart

Christina saw Sharon’s reaction, a guess formed in her mind, roughly confirming the suspicions she had been having for a

of silence, Christina took Sharon’s hand and stared at the latter intently. “Mom, no matter what happened in the past, you’re still the mom I love the

longer hold back her tears. After all, she thought she could bring

you found out about it so soon. I didn’t mean to

as if the blood in her vessels had solidified from all the anxiety she was feeling. “Mom, what exactly

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

It was

did they give me a token and

not comfort her crying mother. All she could

from me for so many years because she

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

her phone

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

happened to find a great place today to have some fun.

the call ended, Christma received a text from Badley containing the

navigation system and soon arrived at the club-the one Nathaniel had brought her to two days ago.

building. Bailey leil her into

crowded, and everyone was enjoying themselves. No one realized Christina had

and loud laughter filled the