“It’s not you I’m looking for; I want to speak to Sonia. Is she there with you?” Grace asked on the other line, prompting Charles to glance over at Sonia.

“She’s here,” he answered.

 

“Pass the phone to her.”

Having made a noise of agreement, Charles handed Sonia his phone while saying, “Here, it’s my mom.”

Sonia took the phone over and greeted pleasantly, “Mrs. Lane.”

“Sonia! I’ve missed you so much.” Grace beamed as soon as she heard Sonia’s voice on the other end of the call.

 

Sonia, on the other hand, smiled as well. “I’ve missed you, too, Mrs. Lane.”

“You could always drop by to see me, you know,” Grace pointed out, feigning dejection.

 

“Sorry, Mrs. Lane. I’ve been tied up with tons of stuff recently. I barely have time to breathe,” Sonia winced and said apologetically.

“Well, you could come over for a meal right now if you have the time. I’ll bust out a few of my best recipes for you,” Grace cajoled kindly.

Sonia was just about to say something when Charles—who had been eavesdropping—spoke up instead. “Mom, I’m bringing my darling for seafood.”

Grace, however, was insistent as she countered, “You know how restaurants never run a quality check on their seafood supplies, and it’s not as if they could do better than me when it comes to cooking.”

you for the offer, Mrs. Lane. We’ll

soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated that the

Sonia a resigned look.

there’s always next time, anyway. Now, we should probably go and pick out gifts for your

out an elegant cloak for Grace and a tasteful necktie for Curtis. Then, they made their

than anything else. In particular, Grace had been best friends with Sonia’s mother. As far as Sonia was concerned, Grace was like a second mother to her, having taken care of her ever

Sonia pulled up in front of the Lane

in six years, though she noted that the house looked the same as

when she heard the sound of the car pulling up. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Sonia, and she approached the

Sonia greeted with a bright

embraced, Charles stood by the side and drawled sarcastically, “Don’t mind me, Mom. I’m just your

her eyes as she said pointedly, “I see you every day, and believe me when I say I’m getting tired of it. My attention is on Sonia

amused by the remark. “No, I haven’t, Mrs.

“Your face is all

now I appear a little more slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright, that’s enough

along, then.” Grace took her by the hand and led

at home

for the past six years.” Ever since Grace watched the press conference, she had been wanting to know all that had

began to detail the life she had had with the Fullers,

when she heard the last of the story. She slapped the edge of the coffee table in a physical show of frustration and snapped, “I knew those Fullers were rotten! You should have told us how badly they were treating you, Sonia. If you had told us, then we would have stood up for

he bit into an

the rage he felt never went away. That being said, he was

Grace’s outward concern, Sonia felt warmth course through her. Tears pricked her eyes as she said, “I didn’t want to make you worry

get them to stand up for her throughout her marriage to Toby, but they couldn’t come to her defense all the time. Besides, they weren’t actually related to her, which meant her troubles would only grow to become an unnecessary burden for them. She would

going to do with you?” Grace gently prodded

smiled good-naturedly as she

gesture and

frowned as he sniffed the air curiously. “Mom, what do

this, Grace snapped out of her thoughts, and her eyes lit up with panic. She

kitchen to salvage the chowder simmering in the pot,

Have some juice while you watch

Lane.” Sonia nodded with

and help me out

Charles blinked. He could hardly believe what he had just heard as he pointed at his nose. “Are you serious, Mom? What could I

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