Now that she thinks about it, if she had gone to his parents after getting the fake text from Diana, then maybe her baby would still be alive. It was partly her fault too.' I'm so sorry baby.' she sniffed and sighed heavily.
" It's alright child. . ., we promise to make everything right from now on. and don't call him Uncle, he's your father now and I'm your mum, " said the woman with a sad smile as she took the hankie from her husband's hand and wiped her tears.
Zach glanced at the three women who were wiping their tears and sighed then slightly rubbed Mira's arm who had her head resting on his shoulder. " Father, Mum, I'm so sorry. . ." he apologized then dropped his head and the room sank into silence again.
" Mira dear, please take these back." Mum Sara said after a while and Mira stood up to take the teacups and snacks plate back to the kitchen.
Zach also stood up to help her so as to give the elders room to discuss when a scream suddenly came from the adjacent door through the hallway and his eyes widened.
" And here I am, thinking that she had followed her brother." their stepmother sighed exasperatedly and looked up at Zach. " Son, go check if__" she hadn't finished her words when Zach suddenly dashed past them toward his room.
_____
" Little cat, what do you think you're doing!?" Zach glanced around the room which was now in a mess as his clothes which were neatly folded in his bag a while ago were now strewn on the bed, with the bag thrown carelessly across the floor.
" Argh! Do you know how long it took me to fold those clothes?" He sighed exasperatedly at the girl who was sobbing slightly on his bed and wondered what she had seen to make her scream then his eyes darted to her hands.
" Give it to me, gimme." Lucy forcefully grabbed the small frame which he had suddenly snatched from her hands and sat back down on the bed.
" Is she Big Sis baby, " she sobbed after some seconds and shoved her brother's hand away as he tried to wipe her tears.
" She's so adorable." she continued while stroking the tiny frame and sniffing back her tears.
Zach nodded with a soft smile and ruffled her hair. " Yeah, she's very cute just like you. . . Hehehe, Little cat, now give it back." He extended his hand to grab the picture again and she yanked it away with a glare.
" No, this is mine." Lucy shoved him aside and ran out of the while holding tightly to the frame.
" Argh Lucy, you little thief, " Zach shouted behind her and looked down at the clothes with a sigh. It would take him hours before putting them back together and he wondered what she was really looking for in his bag before coming across the picture.
********
" Clara, are you sure you will be alright." Maya sighed while staring at her friend who had been gloomy since yesterday.
" Yeah, I think this would be for the best Maya. Although I love him, I can't do anything about it again. I've totally lost all hope. Hmmm," She gave her a half-hearted smile while typing on her phone. After receiving Jack's call yesterday, she had finally come to a decision.
If no evidence could be found, then she would let fate take its course. Besides, she had enough money to send her sister to college and take care of her family for the time being.
Maya sighed and watched as her friend sent the resignation letter through email. " Alright dear, we can go back together to city X, I'm sure you'll land a very nice job there."
" Okay," Clara nodded with a sigh. " But wait. . . what about your Dad? didn't he say you won't go back anymore? and also the marriage thing."
'Huh?' her brows knitted as she stared at her friend who was now chuckling. " Maya, what are you up to?"
" Hehe, Lily had come up with a perfect plan, I'm sure it will work," Maya replied while staring back at her mischievously.
" Really? what is the plan? tell me, tell me." Clara's expression brightened as she excitedly moved closer to her on the bed.
" Well... hehe, come here, Auntie might ear us, " Maya whispered then gestured her to move closer again and she instantly did so, as her Mum was just outside, in the next room.
After hearing the plan, Clara nodded with a wide grin. " But wait, do you think your father would believe that? and aren't you afraid of what he might do?" She said worriedly and Maya shook her head with a chuckle.
" Let's worry about saving my life first, I can't marry that idiot, he tried to destroy my life for goodness sake.". She groaned and plopped her head on the pillow. The only thing her father could do is beat her which she was already used to.
" Hmmm, okay, then I'll have to give him a call. Your father might come here at any moment if he finds out you've left the house." Clara sighed and also lay down beside her as they both faced the ceiling.
" Yes please hurry, But don't tell him about Willy and the marriage thing. I just want to get out of this mess, not give him any hope." She added softly and Clara frowned.
" But don't you think it's not fair,? she asked softly and Maya bit her lips.
" I'm also sorry, but I can't trust anyone else, Clara," Maya replied and another sigh escaped her lips.
Before Clara could utter another word, the door suddenly opened and they sighed in relief after seeing that it was Lily.
" Lily, what are these for?" Clara said and sat up on the bed as she watched the girl dropped the huge pile of books on the table, which was mostly filled with textbooks.
" Don't you know? Auntie told me yesterday that she had been tutoring some kids in the neighborhood, " Maya butted in and also glanced at the girl with a sigh.