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…”

you less attention because he’s usually swamped at work? It’s normal since men are the breadwinners. As

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

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

it to yourself. Sharon grew more concerned the longer Christina kept her

took in a deep breath. Maybe I should just ask her instead of

my

was … adopted?”

on her mother as complex feelings like worry and

by the unexpected question, and

She subconsciously clenched her fists, her heart

mind, roughly confirming the suspicions she had been

of silence, Christina took Sharon’s hand and stared at the latter intently. “Mom, no

hold back her tears. After all, she thought she

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

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

“Back then, my child died, but the nurse misunderstood the information and gave you to me. 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

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

they give me a token and leave just like that? Why did they do this?

by her emotions that she could not comfort her crying mother. All she could manage was, “Rest well, Mom. I

many years because she feared I

as though. her mind was going

her phone rang.

answered it. “Bailey, I feel horrible

a great place

Christma received a text from

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

building. Bailey leil her into a

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

blasting music and loud