Her Precious Baby

He glanced down, picked up a piece from the pile of blocks, and attached it to the tiny window ledge. It was a neat little addition.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a mother, Floretta. I love you all the same.”

Evander’s tone was solemn, but Floretta was thrilled by the addition to the window frame. He wondered if she had heard him.

Meanwhile, Angeline headed home after leaving Floretta and eased herself into a bath. She even set her tablet on a portable desk to watch “The Journey.”

She had been too busy shooting of late to have even seen her own show.

The highly anticipated series by the major media companies attracted heavy investment in the setting and costumes, making it a pleasure to watch.

In addition, the sequence was particularly aesthetic, with superb editing.

Just when she was getting into it, Angeline was alerted by a WhatsApp notification bell across her homepage.

Frowning, she opened the app and saw that it was Jonathan, who she had not contacted for a long time. He had sent several images.

Angeline suddenly froze when she loaded the file. She grew pale with fright.

It was a boy, of about five, with the most exquisite features she had ever seen. He was dressed in clothes adorned by patches that revealed scars of various sizes all over him.

Some of them were fresh wounds, and others were old. The sight of his skeletal figure looked especially forlorn.

Her heart raced when she realized what was happening. After struggling to regain her composure, she dialed his number.

As if awaiting her call, Jonathan picked up almost immediately.

ventures of late, Ms. Sorelle. You’re doing

your purpose for sending me

your child looks like?” Jonathan’s voice dripped with mockery

Angeline

began suspecting that Floretta was the child I had lost all those years ago, I

“Speak your mind.”

an awful life this child must lead. His alcoholic father would take things out on him whenever he

deeply uneasy at

I’m coming to you with the police,” she said

is not the one I seek, child abuse is against the law. Furthermore, the wounds on the child look serious.

you become stupider from shooting those commercials, Angeline? The matter is still not yet known to be a conspiracy. Besides, who knows what the

regained her calm at Jonathan’s

an eye

grunt. Several moments later,

in return. Consider yourself warned. I will come knocking

“What—”

ask

and doubt surfaced in her eyes. Though she was unclear about Jonathan’s motive, she knew

confirmed that Floretta is my daughter, any accident

Staring at the wounds all over the little boy, she felt a

it takes to learn who my

down the side of the bath

unfair of late. I’ve been struck down by wave after wave of hardship

and took careful aim. With a resounding thud, she sent

“Sublime golfing, Mrs. Yiurk.”