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…”

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

Mom,” Christina interrupted, still wondering where she should begin.

go straight to the point? I mean, no mother would want their daughter, whom they raised for over twenty years, to ask if

Don’t keep it to yourself. Sharon

took in a deep breath. Maybe I

on my oten.

was … adopted?”

feelings like worry and suspicion sprouted in her

was stunned by the unexpected question,

her

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

intently. “Mom, no matter what happened in the past, you’re still the mom I love the most.”

could no longer hold back her tears. After all, she thought she could bring the secret. she had been

believe you found out about it

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

want to face. “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 when you decide to look for your real parents one day. I’m sorry, Christina. I was

was

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

mother. All she could manage

years because she feared I might get angry when I found out

were over. Hence, Christina left the hospital and traveled home, feeling as though. her mind was going to explode

her phone

one glance at the caller ID and answered it. “Bailey, I feel

find a great place today to have some fun. Let’s go there!”

the call ended, Christma received a text from Badley containing

information into the navigation system and soon arrived at

stepped into the building. Bailey leil her into

was rather crowded, and everyone was enjoying themselves. No one

of blasting music and loud laughter