Chapter 423 Bad Mood

Perturbation brimmed in Lucas’ doe-like eyes.

It’s all my fault. I caused Mommy to be scolded.

Dabbing off the sweat on the child’s head with a handkerchief, Nathaniel reminded the former, “Don’t do it again. It’s fine if you had just broken the shelf, but what if the books had hit your head?”

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” said Lucas with a pout.

“You’re all sweaty. Come on. I’ll give you a shower.” Christina got to her feet and pulled Lucas along to the bathroom.

After the door closed, Nathaniel’s gaze moved up until it found the shelf’s topmost level.

The books were arranged neatly, but the sequence was incorrect.

Christina did not sleep well because of what she learned. Hence, she drove to the hospital early the next day.

Sharon looked much better compared to the last time Christina saw her. Clearly, the former had rested well.

“Mom, I’m here. Do you want some grapes?” Christina approached the hospital bed and opened up the container filled with cleaned fruits.

Sharon was delighted to see her daughter, and a smile tugged at her lips. “Okay.”

Hearing Sharon’s response, Christina peeled the fruit’s skin and popped them into the former’s mouth. The bond between the two was strong after having to depend on each other for so many years. Hence, the news that the woman in front of her was not her biological mother put Christina at a loss.

She had no idea how to handle it.

“Christina, you dropped a grape. What are you thinking so deeply about?” asked Sharon with concern..

Only then did Christina realize the grape had slipped from her fingers.

“My hands slipped,” explained Christina awkwardly. She then picked up the grape with a piece of tissue and tossed it into the bin.

Christina’s strange behavior worried Sharon. “What’s wrong? Did you and Nathaniel get into a fight?”

Christina’s eyelids drooped to avoid her mother’s gaze. For a moment, she did not know how to answer the latter’s question.

“No...”

Sensing the young lady’s hesitance, Sharon gently patted the former’s hand to comfort her. “Is Nathaniel giving you less attention because he’s usually swamped at work? It’s normal since men are the breadwinners. As a wife-”

“That’s not it, Mom,” Christina interrupted, still wondering where she should begin.

Will Mom get upset if I go straight to the point? I mean, no mother would want their daughter, whom they raised for over twenty years, to ask if they’re related by blood.

“What is it, then Tell me. Don’t keep it to yourself. Sharon grew more concerned the longer Christina kept her silence Christina fiddled with her fingers and took in a deep breath. Maybe I should just ask her instead of making wild guesses on my oten.

“Mom, was ... adopted?”

Christina locked a nervous gaze on her mother as complex feelings like worry and suspicion sprouted in her heart, making her feel slightly overwhelmed.

Sharon was stunned by the unexpected question, and her pupils constricted.

“H-How did you know?” She subconsciously clenched her fists, her heart beating like a drum.

When Christina saw Sharon’s reaction, a guess formed in her mind, roughly confirming the suspicions she had been having for a while.

After a moment of silence, Christina took Sharon’s hand and stared at the latter intently. “Mom, no matter what happened in the past, you’re still the mom I love the most.”

Hearing that, Sharon could no longer hold back her tears. After all, she thought she could bring the secret. she had been hiding for many years to her grave.

“It’s been so many years. I can’t believe you found out about it so soon. I didn’t mean to hide it from you.

Christina felt her heart tighten at her mother’s words. It was as if the blood in her vessels had solidified from all the anxiety she was feeling. “Mom, what exactly happened?”

A complex frown formed between Sharon’s brows as she recalled the past. It was something she did not want to face. “Back then, my child died, but the nurse misunderstood the information and gave you to me. I tried looking for your parents after realizing what had happened, but they were nowhere to be found. At that time, all you had was a necklace. I was sure it was from your family, so I kept it, thinking you’ll have a token when you decide to look for your real parents one day. I’m sorry, Christina. I was too heartbroken at that time, so I brought you back to the Steele residence...”

Bewilderment and confusion flooded Christina’s gaze, which was partially concealed by her lowered eyelids. It was taking her some time to process all the information that was dumped on her.

Why didn’t my parents want me? Why did they give me a token and leave just like that? Why did they do this?

Christina was too overwhelmed by her emotions that she could not comfort her crying mother. All she could manage was, “Rest well, Mom. I don’t blame you for it...”

Maybe Mom kept the truth from me for so many years because she feared I might get angry when I found out about it.

Soon, visitation hours were over. Hence, Christina left the hospital and traveled home, feeling as though. her mind was going to explode from all the thoughts running through it.

Just then, her phone rang.

She took one glance at the caller ID and answered it. “Bailey, I feel horrible today. Can you spend some time with me?”

“What a coincidence! I happened to find a great place today to have some fun. Let’s go there!”

Once the call ended, Christma received a text from Badley containing the address.

She entered the information into the navigation system and soon arrived at the club-the one Nathaniel had brought her to two days ago.

As soon as Christina stepped into the building. Bailey leil her into a VIP room It was rather crowded, and everyone was enjoying themselves. No one realized Christina had entered!

An carsplitting combo of blasting music and loud laughter filled the venue.

“Why would a proper lady like you come to a place like this to have fun?” The noise was giving Christina a splitting headache.

However, Bailey seemed unperturbed. “What’s wrong with this place? It’s quite fun. Besides, the servers here are more good-

looking compared to other clubs.”

“How are we going to talk in such a noisy place?” Christina was regretting it. I should’ve asked before coming. I wouldn’t have come if I knew it’d be so crowded A helpless sigh escaped Bailey’s throat. “I’ve been cooped up at home for many days, and my mother pressures me to get married every day. Believe it or not, she has more documents on blind dates than a king!”

Ihat’s so great about getting married? It’s better to be single and free.

“There are too many people here. It’s too noisy.” Christina was in an equally bad mood. She needed someone to analyze the situation for her or even just hear her out.

“The lobby’s quieter. Let’s talk out there.” With that, Bailey took Christina’s hand and walked out.

Sure enough, it was quieter outside. The two women sat by the bar and ordered two glasses of whiskey.

Christina took a sip of the hard liquor and coughed violently, for it stung her throat. “Is this even for humans?”

The two had just taken their seats when several rich, fashionably-dressed men approached to strike conversation with them.

up Christina was in no mood to entertain strangers. All she wanted was to rant to her friend. Bailey, on the contrary, turned into a chatterbox after having a few glasses of alcohol.

Just then, Christina’s phone pinged with a text from Nathaniel. It read: Where are you?

Christina stared at the text for some time before replying: I’m meeting a client. I’ll be home a little late.

She made up a random excuse so as to avoid any misunderstandings from happening.

Alas, her phone vibrated again with a message from Nathaniel: Look up. Forty-five degrees to your right.

The text caused Christina’s brows to tighten into a puzzled frown. Regardless, she slowly lifted her head and did as told..

Her eyes went wide the moment they met a familiar pair of eyes.