“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.”

offer, Mrs. Lane. We’ll go over to your place in a

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

Sonia a resigned look.

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

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

with Sonia’s mother.

Charles and Sonia pulled up in front

house looked the same as it had before. As such,

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

Sonia greeted with a bright

the side and drawled sarcastically, “Don’t mind me, Mom. I’m

of it. My attention is on Sonia now. Come here, Sonia, let me take a good look at you!” She clasped

by the remark. “No, I

insisted. “Your face is

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

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

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

me how you’ve been for the past six years.” Ever since Grace watched the press conference, she

to detail the life she had had

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

an apple. “That’s what I told

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

the sight of Charles and Grace’s outward concern, Sonia felt warmth course through her. Tears pricked her eyes as she said, “I didn’t want

closest thing she had to a family was Grace and the rest of the Lanes. She might have 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 a peace of mind than have them

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

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

this gesture and smoothed Sonia’s hair with

frowned as he sniffed the air curiously. “Mom,

and her eyes lit up with panic.

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

and said, “Here you go, Sonia. Have some juice while you watch a bit of television; I’ll

nodded with a warm

Charles a look. “Come and help

as he pointed at his nose.

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

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