“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.”

Mrs. Lane. We’ll go over

no need for the formalities. See you soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated that the

his phone away and gave Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it looks like we’re going to have to give the seafood restaurant a

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

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

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 since

wasn’t long before Charles and Sonia pulled

the house looked the same as it had before. As such, she did not feel out of place at

sound of the car pulling up. Her eyes lit

Sonia greeted with a

side and drawled sarcastically,

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!” She clasped Sonia’s hands in hers and slowly

by the remark.

have,” Grace insisted. “Your face

fat, so now I appear a little more slender than

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

at home but

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

to detail the life she had had with

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

bit into an apple. “That’s what I

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

Sonia felt warmth course through her. Tears pricked her eyes as she

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

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

smiled good-naturedly as she wrapped the

at this gesture and

“Mom, what do you have on the stove? I

her eyes lit up with panic. She rose to her feet in a flurry and exclaimed,

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

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

Lane.” Sonia nodded with a warm

shot Charles a look. “Come and

had just heard 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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