Racheal awoke with a high spirit, her gaze shifting towards her husband, Nicolaz, still peacefully asleep by her bedside. A gentle smile graced her lips as she observed his serene form. Filled with energy and anticipation for the day ahead, she decided to rise and seize the morning.
Making her way to the bathroom, Racheal allowed the warm water of the shower to envelop her, revitalizing her senses. Meanwhile, her mind wandered to her son, Christopher, and a desire to connect with him tugged at her heart. Sensing the opportune moment, she reached for her phone and dialed his number.
"Hello, Christopher," Racheal spoke with a warm tone, eager to engage in conversation.
"Mother, good morning," Christopher's response came, his voice wavering slightly, betraying his lack of rest.
Concern etched itself onto Racheal's face as she picked up on her son's fatigue. "Did you sleep well?" she innocently inquired, unaware of the shadows that loomed over his life.
"Yes, I did," Christopher replied, his words concealing the restless night he had endured. He understood the necessity of maintaining composure, even in the face of turmoil.
Racheal, still oblivious to the secrets Christopher harbored, pressed on. "My dear son, we are aware that you had a sort of private legal marriage. Why didn't you tell us?"
Christopher's heart skipped a beat as his mother's question pierced through the conversation. Memories of Chelsea's unexpected outburst at his office flooded his mind, accompanied by the realization that his secret may no longer be confined to the shadows. Jack, being privy to the confrontation, would likely share the news with Eric and, in turn, their family.
"Mother, it's nothing," Christopher responded, his voice steady but laced with a hint of apprehension. "Father wanted me to have a wife, and now I do."
Racheal's curiosity persisted as she probed further. "Well, you wed and kept it a secret?"
Christopher's mind raced, calculating the risks and consequences of his next words. He carefully chose his response, crafted to shield his family from the full truth while appeasing their curiosity. "Mother, I would have told you myself. I needed to fix things first. Besides, I plan to make the news public before the end of the week."
A mixture of relief and curiosity washed over Racheal as she absorbed her son's words. She contemplated the situation, her excitement growing with the knowledge that she would finally meet her daughter-in-law. Unable to contain her anticipation any longer, she extended an invitation.
"We would like you and your new wife to join us for dinner today," Racheal extended the invitation, her voice brimming with eagerness. "Please don't be late. I can't wait to see my daughter-in-law, finally."
Christopher's heart sank at his mother's words. The weight of his secrets pressed upon him heavily, but he knew he had to continue the charade for the sake of his family's reputation. With a heavy sigh, he replied, "Of course, mother. We will be there."
As the call ended, Christopher's mind swirled with a mixture of anxiety and trepidation. The tangled web of lies and hidden truths threatened to consume him, but he steeled himself for what lay ahead. In the midst of the darkness that surrounded him, he prepared to face the upcoming dinner, knowing that he would have to maintain the façade of his false reality, all the while longing for an escape from the shadows that haunted him.