“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

soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated

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

pick out gifts for your parents.” With that, she

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

been best friends with Sonia’s mother. As far as Sonia was concerned, Grace was

and Sonia pulled

was the first time Sonia had dropped by in six years, though she noted that the house looked the same as it

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

Lane,” Sonia greeted with a bright

side and drawled sarcastically, “Don’t mind me, Mom. I’m just your biological

of it. My attention is on Sonia now. Come here, Sonia, let me take

by the remark.

Grace insisted. “Your

little more slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright, that’s enough fretting, Mrs. Lane. Shall we

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

noted that there was no one else at home but them,

with his buddies. 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 had been wanting to know all that had happened

began to detail the life she had had with the Fullers, though she kept it brief to save Grace the

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 you and gotten them

bit into an apple. “That’s

him, and the rage he felt never went away. That being said, he was less angry

Charles and Grace’s outward concern, Sonia felt warmth course through her. Tears

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

gently prodded the younger

she smiled good-naturedly as she wrapped the latter’s

and smoothed

he sniffed the air curiously. “Mom, what do you have on

snapped out of her thoughts, and her eyes lit up with panic. She rose to her feet in a flurry

salvage the chowder simmering in the pot, and thankfully, she made

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

Mrs. Lane.” Sonia nodded

a look. “Come and help me out in

he had just heard as he pointed at his nose. “Are you serious, Mom? What

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

Comments ()

0/255