MasukRose cried silently on the call as Michelle told her story. “She reminds me of him, I couldn’t bear living with her, so Freda accepted to raise her for me.”The call was quiet for a moment, until Rose cleared her throat, “nobody deserves to go through what you went through in his hands, but Olivia is just a child and she doesn’t deserve to suffer for this.”“But she caused everything!” Michelle snapped, her voice cracking.“No! Austin did and Olivia shouldn’t suffer for that.”“Rose, I’m sorry, I can’t,” she cried.“Please, Olivia needs you.”“I’m sorry, Rose,” she whispered, and she cut the call quickly.Rose tried to call her back, but it went straight to voicemail.”Days passed, and Rose kept trying Michelle’s number, but still the same thing. “Hi, you’ve reached Michelle. I can’t come to the phone now. Please, leave a message.”Rose sent several messages, but they didn't deliver.Sonia too kept calling Frank, hoping he would finally pick, but his line was not reachable. She pani
Rose jerked up from the bed. Her sleepy eyes cleared immediately.“Michelle?” she whispered, stepping out of the room quietly so she wouldn’t wake Tyler up.“Yes, Rose. Are you alone?”“Yes, I am. I never knew you got my message. I’m so sorry to scare you with it, but I needed to speak with you.”“How did you know about my daughter?” Michelle asked firmly.“You mean the same daughter you abandoned?” “Look, if Austin sent you to me, tell him to back off, okay,” Michelle snapped.“Austin didn’t send me, I’m only concerned about Olivia.”“Then tell me how you knew about my daughter.”“Okay, I’ll answer.” Rose inhaled and spoke quickly. “Olivia and my son have been good friends. I saw a picture of you and Olivia in his bag. I recognized you immediately and he told me everything.”“You have a son now?” Michelle asked quietly.“Yes, I have had him since but I kept him a secret.”“Why?” Michelle asked.“Look, Michelle, I need to know if I can trust you and I need to know the truth too.”“T
He slid the letter into his pocket.“Anything?” Sonia asked, catching the movement.“Ohhh, th-aat?” He stuttered, forcing a shaky laugh. “It’s the receipt from the hospital,” he muttered, his hands trembling.“Austin, are you good?” Sonia asked, frowning.“Yes, yes. I’m alright.”“But your hands are shaking.”“Oh thh-aa-tt,” he said, forcing another laugh. “It’s just hot in here.”“Sorry, I’ll switch on the air conditioner.”“Thank you,” he said. No trace of him?” he added, trying to sound calm.But deep down, he was boiling inside. All he wished to do was smash Rose’s head against the wall. Rose had fooled him and Sonia had lied to him too, saying Tyler was Rose’s cat.“Austin, are you even listening?” Sonia asked softly.“Oh, sorry…what did you say?”“You didn’t hear me?”“I’m sorry. I just feel dizzy because it’s hot.” “So sorry, give it some time,” Sonia said, lowering the temperature.“Take it easy on yourself,” Austin said, noticing the look on her face.“Easy? Rose and Tyler
Rose ended the call immediately. “Tyler, we need to go.”“Go where, Mom?”“Please, no questions now.”“But I’m worried.”“It’s nothing to worry about, T.”“Mom, I heard you two arguing over the phone.”“I said no questions. Pack your bags now.”“But we can’t just leave our only home.”“No, it’s not.” Rose’s voice broke. “Your father took your real home from you, and now Sonia is doing the same.”Tyler blinked, “Aunt Sonia sent us out?”“Yes,” Rose replied.“Why? Did we do anything wrong?”“I don’t know, just pack your stuff.”“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”“You’re too young to understand, T.”“You’ve been saying that since I was born.” Tyler’ snapped. “I’m eleven now, and you still hide everything from me.”“And I promise to tell you, but we need to leave here now.”“No. Not until you tell me where we are going.”Rose snapped, snatching his school bag off his shoulder.“Mom, let me have it!” Tyler shouted, pulling it back.Before she could zip it open, he
“But why would they do that to me?” Sonia muttered.“I told you that you cannot trust them,” Austin said.She clenched her fists, confused. “Hmm…no. Rose won’t do that to me. I trust her. Something isn’t right.”Austin let out a bitter laugh. “You need to be smart about this. They’re playing you, Sonia.”While Sonia was deep in her thoughts, he kissed her cheek.“Stop,” she teased, pushing his face gently.“Just imagine it, me and you. We’d be unstoppable.”His lips moved slightly against her neck.“Austin, no,” she breathed. “Anyone could walk in.““I just want us to be together,” he said, his voice low as persuasive. I’ll even get you that Bentley you’ve always wanted.”Sonia's breath caught. “you said what?”“I mean it,” Austin smiled. “Just say the word.”“A Bentley?” She echoed faintly.“Yes,” Austin smiled, stroking her hair. “But only if you promise to cut them completely.”Her eyes darted away. “It’s not that easy.”“But you know they don’t care about you.”While Sonia was los
Just then, a deep, gentle voice came in.“No, it’s me. I brought you this.”She turned suddenly. It was Austin. He was holding a flower bouquet.Her eyes widened. “Boss, how did you…”“Shhhh,” Austin whispered, handing over the bouquet.She gave a shy smile. “Awnnnn, thank you.”“But, Frank could come anytime soon.”“I don’t care about your husband. That man doesn’t love you like I do.”Sonia smiled.He sat beside her. “So, tell me what happened? How did you end up here?”“Erm… nothing serious,” she forced a smile. ”Just food poisoning.”Austin shook his head. “I know you’re lying. You can trust me.”Sonia hesitated at first, but Austin pressed harder.“Okay, fine. I OD’d”“What? And that’s what you call nothing serious?”“You don’t have to be so dramatic, Austin.”“But, why would you do that to yourself?” “I hate my life right now. Just look at me, I have nothing. My marriage is falling apart, and to top it off my best friend wants to leave me,” she cried.Austin hissed. “You mean y







