A Fresh Start novel Chapter 8

But I have to admit, I'm not that strong.

Preparing to welcome Gianna back, investigating Luca's background, and trying to ease things… all of it drained my energy.

I had to work overtime to straighten out the company's accounts. I started coming home late into the night again.

Tossing and turning, I dialed a familiar number, knowing it was disconnected.

"Jayden, I feel like I'm getting a bit tired."

"Am I failing as a Mom?"

"Why has Gianna turned out like this? If you were here, what would you do?"

"The company is doing fine. The contracts are going smoothly. All I have left is this talent."

"I want to make a choice."

I fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to find a reply on my phone.

"You can take a break."

"No, Mom, when you came to the orphanage that winter, it felt like I'd met a kind-hearted god."

"Dad would be heartbroken too, but how can everything in life go perfectly? Even the most perfect person can't achieve that."

"And you still have me."

"I've always been here."

I was startled.

Realization dawned on me. This was clearly Charles' tone.

The next day at the office, I called him into my office alone.

I felt a bit embarrassed and annoyed.

Every now and then, I'd call Jayden's number, saying all sorts of things. With no response, I treated it as an emotional outlet.

Now, those hidden feelings were laid bare.

"Why are you keeping your dad's number?"

Charles lowered his head. It was a stark contrast to the confident man in the department. He couldn't even look me in the eye.

"Come here and look at me."

He hesitated but slowly moved closer.

With all the work and various trivial matters, I realized I hadn't really looked at Charles in a long time.

He quickly got up, poured a glass of warm water, bringing it to me.

"Gianna was with Luca before her college entrance exams. I went to their school. You guessed it right. Luca was popular, with students from several grades having a strong impression of him. Many girls pursued him. Gianna told me… she… she… had relations with him to prove her love, and then there were no more rivals."

My breathing suddenly became amplified a thousand times, turning into a whirlwind.

My heart pounded like heavy drumbeats, thudding in my chest.

On those sleepless nights when I dealt with the aftermath, my daughter was with that scumbag for so-called true love.

"Mom…"

I pushed away the hand that was trying to help me and composed myself.

"It's fine. I understand the situation now."

"You've had a hard time balancing both sides."

"Next Saturday is Gianna's birthday party."

I took a sip of water. It was bitter and astringent.

I closed my eyes and downed the rest in one gulp.

"Let her make the choice."