Chapter 685

Caroline and Kirk were eating when they heard knocking on the door. She looked at the time and wondered aloud, “Who could be visiting us at this hour?”

“I’ll get the door,” said Kirk. He got up and headed toward the door. After peeking through the doorhole, his expression changed.

“Who is it?” asked Caroline.

She had just asked her question when Kirk opened the door to admit a haggard–looking Marietta.

Caroline rushed to her and led into the house. “Mom, what happened to you?”

Marietta looked lifeless. “It’s confirmed that Yvonne is my daughter,” she mumbled.

“Isn’t this great news? Why do you look so-” Marietta started mumbling again, leaving Caroline’s sentence unfinished. Her voice was low, so Caroline couldn’t tell if she was talking to her, or simply mumbling to herself.

“But she doesn’t accept me as her mother,” Marietta muttered.

Caroline paled at her words and gripped Marietta’s hands to comfort her.

Kirk headed into the kitchen to pour Marietta a glass of water.

“Did you see Yvonne?” Caroline’s voice was laced with concern. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Marietta went in and out of her daze as she explained what transpired. Although her sentences were sometimes unclear, Caroline still managed to get a gist of what had happened She pulled Marietta into her arms and said, “It’s fine, Mom. She might not accept it now, but she’ll surely do so in the future.”

“Do you really think so?” Marietta curled up in Caroline’s embrace, like a fragile little Carrie, do you think I’ve failed as a mother?”

canary.

Caroline looked down at the frail–looking woman and felt her heart ache. Still, she didn’t know how to comfort Marietta.

Afterall, Caroline wasn’t Marietta’s biological daughter. She felt like it wasn’t her place to say anything.

Only Marietta’s biological daughter could put in a word or two at a time like this.

“Have some water,” Kirk said as he brought Marietta the glass.

After taking a few gulps of water, she didn’t feel as cold as before. It suddenly dawned on her that Caroline and Kirk were having dinner when she arrived.

“I must’ve interrupted you,” she said. “Please finish your meals. Don’t mind me.”

“It’s no big deal,” Caroline told her. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes,” Marietta replied with a gentle smile. She abruptly recalled how Yvonne had yelled at her to leave, and her heart broke at the thought. Still, she put on a smile as if to comfort herself. “Please continue. I’ll take a seat here in the living room. Pay me no mind.”

Hesitating, Caroline turned to look at Kirk. He reached his hand out toward her and said, “Let’s go then.”

Caroline’s eyes widened at his response. She stared at him, puzzled. But he simply nodded and pulled her to the dining room.

Caroline lowered her voice and asked, “Are you sure we should be leaving her alone like this?”

When they got to the dining table, Kirk glanced at Marietta. He advised, “Leave her alone for a bit. You can’t help much even if you were to keep her company.”

“Hurry and eat.” He added, “Otherwise, you’ll get hungry.”

Caroline nodded in understanding, but she still glanced worriedly at Marietta.

“Eat.” Kirk flicked her on the forehead. She eventually relented and continued gobbling up her meal.

Caroline was affected by what had happened to Marietta, making the meal unpleasant. After she finished, she discovered that Marietta was already asleep on the couch.

Caroline shushed Kirk and whispered, “I’m getting her a blanket. Keep your voice low. Don’t wake her up.”

She went into the bedroom to get a blanket for Marietta. Kirk couldn’t hide his smile after having seen Caroline tiptoeing to the bedroom.

He was amused and thought her to be silly.

He glanced over at Marietta, who looked very much lethargic on the couch. He shook his head helplessly at her.