“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.”

Lane. We’ll go over to your place in

for the formalities. See you soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated that the younger girl had agreed

Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it looks like we’re going to have

next time, anyway. Now, we should probably go and pick out gifts for your parents.” With that, she linked arms with him and

in the mall, they finally picked out an elegant cloak for Grace and a tasteful necktie for Curtis.

always had close ties with the Reeds, and their relationship was more family than anything else. In particular, Grace had been best friends with Sonia’s mother. As far

wasn’t long before Charles and Sonia pulled

years, though she noted that the house looked the same as it had before. As such, she did not feel out of place at all and rather felt

guest when she heard the sound of the car pulling up. Her eyes lit up

greeted with

the side and drawled sarcastically,

I say I’m getting tired of it. My attention is on Sonia now. Come here, Sonia, let me take a good look at you!” She

somewhat amused by the remark.

Grace insisted. “Your face is all

little more slender than usual,” Sonia

Grace took her by the

there was no one else at home but them, and she couldn’t help but

past six years.” Ever since Grace watched the press conference, she had

nod and began to detail the life she had had

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

bit into an

fact that she had kept mum about her abusive marriage wounded him, and the rage he felt never went away. That being said, he was less angry with her than he was pitiful

course through her. Tears pricked her eyes

been able to 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 rather give them

do with you?” Grace gently prodded the younger girl’s forehead and

she smiled good-naturedly as she wrapped the latter’s arm like an affectionate

at this gesture and

curiously. “Mom, what do you

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

rushed toward the kitchen to salvage the chowder simmering in the pot, and thankfully, she

brought two tall glasses of juice over to Sonia and said, “Here you go, Sonia. Have some juice while you watch a bit of television; I’ll be in the kitchen

Mrs. Lane.” Sonia nodded

a look. “Come and help me

out?” Charles blinked. He could hardly believe what he had just heard as he

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255