Olivia didn’t believe it at all. “No way. He’s only six years old.” North frowned. “But I heard that story a few months ago.” Surprise welled in Olivia’s eyes. “You’ve heard of the story before?”
“Yes. And it’s even more complete than your version. They told me they escaped from a villain. Why did they tell you his grandfather raised them?”
Olivia frowned. “They?” North nodded. “There are three of them. I concealed their identities when they first came to Summer City.” Olivia was shaken. So, North does know. But still, she asked, “Do you know their names, then?”
North said, “No. The names they provided were fake. All I had to do was conceal the identity of the guy who took them here, but I’ve seen their photos. The first two times he showed up on the news, I thought I had seen him before, but I wasn’t sure. After what you just told me, I’m sure that’s him. I’m going to see them tomorrow. They lied and ran away from me, and now they want you to be their mother?”
Olivia thought North was a bit prejudiced. “But Pthey look like good kids.” North asked, “You’ve seen them?”
Olivia decided to be honest. She couldn’t hide it anymore, so she told North everything. In the end, she added, “I just made them my godchildren because I sympathize with them. You’re my real son, North. I love you no matter what.” She hugged him. “Don’t get jealous.”
North hugged her as well. He didn’t like this, but since his mother was being so careful with his feelings, he set his feelings aside. “It’s alright. I’m just worried they might hurt you.”
“I don’t think they’re bad kids. I’d have fallen into their traps otherwise. Maybe they just need a mother figure in their lives.” He might feel down, though. She added, “Why don’t you evaluate him for me tomorrow?”
North nodded. “Sure. But aren’t you going to call Daddy?” Olivia answered vaguely, “Later.” In fact, she had been avoiding calling him. She had no idea what to say, so she would just leave it at that. Not like we’re married. Breaking up is easy.
Meanwhile, poor Eugene had been waiting for Olivia’s call. Brian told him her phone was dead, so he waited for her to charge her phone. He kept waiting and waiting, but even when it was already late at night, he still didn’t get her call.
Her phone was still turned off, so he called Brian instead. The moment the call went through, he asked, “Why can’t I get through to her?”
Once again, Brian’s sleep was interrupted. Infuriated, he snapped, “Why are you asking me? I told her what you said. If she still won’t. take your call, that’s on you.”
Eugene tried his best to remember what he did wrong, but nothing came up. “I didn’t do anything.”
Brian chided, “The hell you didn’t. She would take your call otherwise. North and I went to her tonight. She said you aren’t coming back yet because you have something to do. Moreover, she’s keeping North with her. The situation’s bad, I have no idea what the f*ck is keeping you there, but if you’re not coming back, you’re losing your girlfriend and son. And your mother and brother.”
