“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 go over to your place in

soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated that the younger girl had agreed to

gave Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it looks like we’re

and pick out gifts for your parents.” With that, she linked arms with him

made their rounds through the boutiques in the mall, they finally picked out an elegant cloak for Grace and a tasteful necktie for

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

Sonia pulled up in

by in six 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 a warm

the house to greet her guest when she heard the sound of the car pulling up. Her eyes lit up

Sonia greeted with a

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

rolled 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 now. Come here, Sonia, let me take a good look at you!”

somewhat amused by the

have,” Grace insisted. “Your face is all

my baby fat, so now I appear a little more slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright,

then.” Grace took her by the hand and led her into

else at home but them, and she couldn’t help

No matter. Sonia, why don’t you tell me how you’ve been for the past six years.” Ever since Grace watched the press conference, she

the life she had had with

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

an apple. “That’s what

mum about her abusive marriage wounded him, and the rage he felt never went away. That being said, he was less angry with her

felt warmth course through her. Tears pricked her eyes as

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 a peace of mind than have them resent her in

am I going to do with you?” Grace gently prodded the younger girl’s forehead

Grace was frustrated, but she smiled good-naturedly as she

this gesture and smoothed Sonia’s hair with

air curiously. “Mom, what do you have on the stove? I think

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

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

that the chowder was saved, 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

Sonia nodded

Charles a look. “Come and help

as he pointed at his nose. “Are you

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

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