Chapter 10
“So, you really crossed paths with Henry at the last minute when you were in New York?” Mona asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Lorraine sighed deeply and nodded, her eyes fixed on her children playing in the garden. She took a sip of her hot coffee. “It’s like the world’s playing tricks on me. No matter how hard I tried to avoid anyone from my past, there he was! I bumped into Dad, and he was with Anjie.” The thought of the little girl brought a pang to her heart. “She looks so much like Amber… Just like how Amber was when she was little!”
Mona exhaled sharply “It’s best not to think too much about it. I know Henry; he’s probably eaten up with guilt for betraying you. You are his eldest, and you used to be Daddy’s girl. But he always sided with your mom, who clearly favored Amber, and that’s why things ended up like this. Tsk!”
Lorraine adjusted her position on the bench. “Even so, there was something in his look, like he wanted to say something to me. I keep wondering what he would have said if I had stopped!
Lorraine still felt deep pain from her parents‘ betrayal, especially her father’s, given their past closeness. It baffled her why he chose to keep Callisto’s infidelity a secret, all for the sake of Amber.
“Ahem!”
Both Lorraine and Mona looked up as Wayne approached, dressed for an outing.
“Oh, Wayne, there you are! What kept you?” Mona asked, her tone a blend of irritation and concern.
Lorraine chimed in. “It’s Sunday, but you seem busy. Where did you come from?” She noticed the two large bouquets of roses he was carrying.
He handed them to Lorraine and Mona with a broad smile. “Happy Mother’s Day, Lorraine, Granny!”
“Oh, sweet heavens! Mona’s mood brightened as she took the bouquet
Lorraine was taken aback, her eyes widening. She slowly accepted the flowers, momentarily lost in thought. “Wow… it’s Mother’s Day.. and you brought flowers.”
She gazed at the beautiful red roses, taking a moment to process everything. This was the first time she had received flowers for Mother’s Day, marking her recognition as a mother. The feeling was indescribable; something bloomed inside her.
“Thank you so much, Wayne,” she said, her voice filled with emotion as she looked up at him. “I wasn’t expecting this. I didn’t even realize what today was.”
His smile remained warm as he sat down opposite her on the bench. “I’m glad you liked it Next Mother’s Day, maybe we can take the twins somewhere nice. How about the beach, a park or even Disneyland He suggested eagerly. “When we’re not so tied up with work, let’s plan it, okay?”
Her heart softened further at his words. “Of course! The twins would love that,” she said, still admiring the flowers. “These are beautiful… Thank you, Wayne. This means a lot.”
Receiving flowers on Mother’s Day felt different; it was a day she hadn’t paid much attention to before. Now, as a mother herself, she realized it was a day worth celebrating.
Memories of her struggles during pregnancy without a partner, the birth of the twins, and the first moments as a mother flashed before her. She smiled, thinking about how despite everything, she had done her best for her children.
*Click
Lorraine was startled and turned to Wayne when she realized he had taken a picture of her with his phone.
Chapter 10
He lowered his phone, his eyes crinkling with affection. “You look beautiful right now.”
She blushed and turned away. “N–No, I don’t.”
“Pfft! Yes, you do. This is definitely my new wallpaper.”
“What? Hey!” She reached for his phone in panic. “Give it to me! 171 delete it! I must look awful in that picture!”
“You look great!” he teased, lifting his phone out of her reach.
“Hey!” She couldn’t help but laugh, despite feeling embarrassed I’m not pretty, okay? Especially not in photos! My face is cursed in pictures!”
“If that’s the case, then this is the most beautiful curse I’ve ever seen,” he joked.
“S–Stop it, Wayne!” She wanted to bury herself in the ground from embarrassment at his teasing! He was always like this, but she could never quite get used to it.
She knew she wasn’t that photogenic, especially without makeup
She stood up to try to reach his phone, but he quickly stood up and raised it again. With his six–foot height, she couldn’t
reach it!
“Wayne she protested. “Please delete it! You know it’s illegal to take pictures without permission, right?”
He laughed. “I say, it’s worth getting arrested for.”
“Y–You!!”
“Ahem!” Mona cleared her throat, looking up at them amusedly. “This seems a bit childish for your age.”
“Well, I’m not playing,” Lorraine replied, her tone light.
“Uncle Wayneee!”
Their attention was drawn away when the twins ran up to them, calling out joyfully.
“Mommy! Are you and Uncle Wayne playing? We want to join Lucio asked eagerly.
“No, we’re not playing, honey”
“Uncle Wayne!” Lucian looked up at him with hopeful eyes. “Did you think about what Lucio and I asked you? You said you’d tell us when you came back!”
Wayne laughed and ruilled their hair before picking them both p, much to their delight.
“I’ll tell you later, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Huh?” Lorraine looked on, suspiciously eyeing the three of them. “What kind of discussion is this?”
It’s our secret, Mom!” Lucian replied, winking
“Secret, huh?” Lorraine raised an eyebrow, looking at Wayne, “Wayne?”
“Well, it’s a secret,” he shrugged, grinning
“Ooh, looks like they’re up to something.” Mona commented, intrigued.
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Chapter 10
“Just make sure no one gets into trouble,” Lorraine warned, though her tone was playful.
Lorraine sighed. It was likely just another of the twins‘ antics with Wayne. The three had grown very close, as Wayne always made time to play with them when he wasn’t busy. That’s why the twins adored having Wayne around.
Lucian and Lucio giggled, clearly scheming something.
“Don’t think too much, Mom!” Lucian said. He seemed to know Wayne’s answer even without him saying it: to fill the role of their father and their mortmy’s husband.
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After divorce he wants[/caption]
