“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.”

Sonia interjected, “Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Lane. We’ll go over to your place in a bit!”

“Oh, please, no need for the formalities. See you soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated that the younger girl had agreed to drop by for a meal.

When the call ended, Charles put his phone away and gave Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it looks like we’re going to have to give the seafood restaurant a miss.”

“It’s fine; there’s always next 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 car.

After they made their rounds through the boutiques in the mall, they finally picked out an elegant cloak for Grace and a tasteful necktie for Curtis. Then, they made their way to the Lane Residence.

more family than anything else. In particular, Grace had been best friends with Sonia’s mother. As

pulled

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 sense

the car pulling up. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Sonia, and she

greeted with

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

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

amused by the remark.

Grace insisted. “Your face

now I appear a little more slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright, that’s enough

along, then.” Grace took her by the

no one else at home but them, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Is Mr. Lane

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 to

had had with the Fullers, though she kept it brief

still furious when she heard the last of 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

he bit into an apple. “That’s what I told her,

mum about her abusive marriage wounded him, and the rage he felt never went

Sonia felt warmth course through her. Tears pricked her

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

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

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

gesture and smoothed Sonia’s hair

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

her thoughts, and her eyes lit up with panic. She rose to her feet in a flurry and exclaimed, “Oh, no! My seafood

longer, she rushed toward the kitchen to salvage the chowder simmering in the pot, and thankfully, she made it in time to keep the

juice while you watch

Sonia nodded

look. “Come and help me out in

Charles blinked. He could hardly believe what he had just heard as he pointed at his nose. “Are you serious, Mom? What could I

you coming or not?” Grace’s face was dark

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