ログインROXANNE I insisted on doing the dishes — washing pots and pans and plates. "You don't have to earn your stay, Roxanne." He repeated, in reference to the dishes I had almost argued with him over doing. "I have to," I continued scrubbing the inside of the wide pan he'd grilled the chicken in. He stayed with me in the kitchen till I was done washing and drying the utensils. Then organizing them where they ought to be.When all was in place, we walked back to the living room, watching TV and making smalls talks. We were enjoying the last of the red wine."Your mom might be in danger," he said with an air of sudden seriousness."You think?" I considered with a thoughtful, concerned furrow of my brows.She wasn't my birth mother, but she was the mother I remembered and the one who had taken care of me. She had protected me when she wasn't obligated to. She needed a child to call her own. A baby was her best option. A pre-teen would have been okay. But a young adult? No one would have b
ROXANNE "You're quiet," he mentioned, passing me a glance.We were on our way back to his place. A lot of thoughts have been running through my mind, "Vanessa and her family know me." I said quietly, "the look of fear and disbelief on her mother's face. The shock that had blanketed the father's expression. Vanessa trying to act like your words didn't mean anything. They know me.""I believe that should have been established by now, Roxanne." He replied, focusing on the road. "Yeah. But why do I feel like something's missing?" I faced him, my brows slightly pinched. "What...how do you mean?" He inquired, listening and involving in this conversation with me sincerely, while paying attention to the road. "I don't think that I'm Vanessa's twin sister." I divulged, my eyes straying from his profile to face the road, "yes, I feel there's a connection but twin sister? I think that's quite a stretch given what I observed today.""So you think Rochelle was lying?" A shrug, "I don't know."
ROXANNE I stood quietly beside Kylian, watching the scene unfold with a new sense of clarity. I might not fully understand what was going on now, but at least, I had an idea. My eyes took in the faces in the boardroom. Josh was on his feet, anger and unease conflicted his expression. Vanessa, sitting beside him, looking as beautiful and composed as ever, her eyes subtly eyeing my dress and the tiny knot between her brows gave off... bitterness? Then they were the two other faces. They were more matured. They couldn't stop looking at me, the woman especially couldn't hide her shock and disbelief, like she'd seen a ghost. The man's expression mirrored his wife's but only subtler. He was trying not to care. So, they knew me. Possibly I was their daughter. The second twin they abandoned?A lot of questions started to spear in my mind, and I would have loved to ask them, but I'd promised Kylian my silence. To work according to the proposed plan. I looked away from them, assuring my
VANESSA"Hey, babe." Josh rose from his seat to wrap me into a tender hug, he gave me a kiss on the lips. "You look beautiful."My lips curved, "thank you. You look dashing yourself," I patted the lapel of his suit.Mom and dad were behind me. Josh moved out of his seat and walked the short distance to accord them respect, his head slightly bowed reverently. "Welcome, Mr and Mrs Gilmore. I'm glad to have you here today.""How are you doing, Josh?" Dad outstretched his hand for a proper handshake, his expression friendly. Josh took it with both of his, "I'm doing good, sir.""If we're going to be family, call me Cynthia." Mom wrapped him in a warm hug."Oh. Welcome, Cynthia." He beamed, relief spread over his features. Due to my five year absence, he'd never really gotten to meet my parents. We had agreed to a business meeting at his office today. He pulled back a seat for my parents, and then me. "Thanks, babe." I placed my hand on his and gave a warm, brief squeeze. He resumed
ROXANNE Mom's expression twisted into one of pain. She drew back as different emotions clouded her eyes, each try to dominate.Guilt crept in, I rose from my seat to go sit beside her, taking her hands in mine, "I'm sorry, mom. I know you don't like to talking about it. I'm sorry. I...I won't bring it up again."Sadness coiled in the pit of my stomach. I really wanted to know, but seeing mom like this made me feel like a bad daughter.I didn't like to see her sad or drawn back to the past. Maybe I should just let go of whatever might have happened in the past. I heaved a sigh, it was going to be impossible, I knew that.One didn't just ignore information about their life like that. I'd just have to find another way, keeping mom of out the loop. My eyes met Kylian, I couldn't read his expression. He watched me comfort mom, listened to the softly spoken apologetic words I said to her. Then he leaned in, slightly."Mrs. Robertson." He called in a low, respectful tone. Mom looked at
ROXANNE It was hard to find sleep after you've been told that the one person who had decided to hate you for no just cause was your blood and that the woman who you know as mother was hiding important part of your life from you. But I managed to make it through the night. It was past five in the morning, the sun was still asleep as the rest of the world.Quietly, I pulled close the curtains and walked silently into the bathroom to freshen up and wait for my mother's arrival this morning.Kylian was in the master's suite, still sleeping I suppose. I couldn't find it in me to hate my mother. Maybe I felt anger — even disappointment — aimed at her, but not hatred. After all, without her I would still be in lockup, or possibly, be transported to the women's penitentiary without a fair trial. She didn't like Kylian, but she had put me first. Swallowed her judgement and perception of him and sought help for my sake.I shampooed my hair, scrubbed my body and dried off with a towel once d







