Chapter Fourteen

Gulping nervously and casting a fleeting glance at the rest of her family, who looked at her expectantly, Karina raised her chin and pondered the appropriate response to her daughter's question.

"Mommy, is my Daddy here?" Sophie tugged at her shirt once again.

Karina averted her gaze, instinctively, and forced a reassuring smile. "No, sweetheart." Then, squatting down to her level, she whispered, "Let's not talk about him right now, okay?"

Sensing her mother's distress, Sophie nodded with a wide grin.

Karina kissed her cheek and stood up. Turning to her family, she muttered, "Excuse me. I need to go and rest. It's been a long day."

Zora nodded and gestured for her to get some rest.

"Good night." Karina glanced at everyone and left with her daughter.

An insidious grin spread across Martha's face as she thought, 'What a clever way to dodge a difficult question. How intriguing.' She made eye contact with Riley, who also smiled maliciously.

Minutes later, Martha was removing her makeup