Chapter 4

• The woman's expression faltered into disappointment as she straightened, the gentle breeze brushing her long blonde locks. "You don't remember me?"
• The question left Emerald unfazed because if she did, she wouldn't need to ask.
• "You truly don't remember me?" One of Emerald's brows arched inquisitively, and a small smile followed. "How can you forget me, Emerald? Look at me." The woman gently grasped Emerald by the shoulders. "Look into my eyes. Tell me you remember me."
• Emerald exchanged a perplexed glance with Annie before responding hesitantly, "I... I don't know who you are."
• "Really? How could you forget your mother?" The woman's words pulled a frown from Emerald. "Emerald, it is me, Daisy. Your real mother."
• Emerald stood there, processing the claim. "M-my real mother?"
• "Don't you remember me, Emerald?" the woman asked earnestly.
• Of course, Emerald remembered having a biological mother out there somewhere. How could she forget the woman who, even during her rare appearances in Emerald's and her father's life, failed to treat Emerald with any warmth or affection? Those were memories she loathed revisiting. While she could fault her mind for vividly preserving such recollections, she also acknowledged that those memories were integral to her identity.
• Yet, here she was, confronted with the woman who was piercing her with an intense gaze, as if trying to implant new thoughts or memories into her mind.
• Stepping out of the woman's grasp, Emerald responded firmly, "You're not my mother. My mom is probably at her office working right now."
• "Yes," the woman snorted derisively. "That babysitter." The disdain in her expression made Emerald want to shake some sense into her. "I'm sure she's been bad-mouthing me. You have no idea how vile she is."
• Emerald's mind could only wonder what further disparaging comments the woman was prepared to make about her mother, and curiosity reluctantly edged her on.
• "What do you mean by that?"
• With a small, enigmatic smile, the woman leaned in as though she was about to share clandestine secrets. "Do you know the reason I am not with your father? That woman stole him from me. She seduced him when I wasn't around, and I still don't know how."
• Feigning surprise to encourage her further, Emerald probed, "Really?"
• "Look at me..." The woman tapped her chest lightly. "I was a good mother to you, and I would still be with you if not for that woman who brainwashed your father."
• "A good mother?" Emerald might have found the situation amusing, watching the woman's narrative unravel, but she had a class to attend, as did Annie, who was quietly observing the exchange. "Miss Daisy..." Emerald addressed, watching the woman's eyes cloud with disappointment. "At first, I didn't recognize you. But if you truly are the woman who gave birth to me, I must tell you that I don't need you in my life."
• "What? But I am your mother. Do you know how long I've been searching for you? Without that article written about you, I'd still be searching relentlessly."
• Of course, the article. Emerald moistened her lower lip with the tip of her tongue, already weary of Daisy's presence.
• In a tone laced with weariness, she replied, "Do you think I don't remember how you treated me? How can you expect me to welcome you with open arms after how you treated Dad and me like we were insignificant? You found joy in coming and going as you pleased."
• "No, you've misunderstood. I—"
• "And now you find it convenient to stand here and insult the woman who has cared for me all these years? Shame on you, ma'am."
• "But I am your mother. I—"
• "You gave birth to me?" Emerald anticipated her next statement, a flicker of disdain evident on her face. "As far as I recall, you never acted like a mother. So, you have no right to stand here and expect me to pretend everything is perfectly fine."
• Emerald felt her energy waning as the seconds ticked by during her conversation. It dawned on her with a startling clarity: she had two mothers.
• "Oh, so you're dismissing me?" the woman sneered. "I suppose you've inherited your father's demeanor after all."
• Emerald felt an uncomfortable heat enveloping her, as if she were encased in a burning cocoon. Despite this, she managed a sarcastic smile and retorted, "Perhaps I am like my father. Maybe I should call him right now and inform him of who decided to pay me a visit at school. I'm sure he'll be thrilled."
• Daisy couldn't miss the bitterness in Emerald's voice. She simply nodded, taking small, hesitant steps backward. "Very well then. But understand this, Emerald... Being your mother is only the beginning. There are many things you still don't know."
• Feeling utterly overwhelmed, Emerald pleaded, "Please... leave." She set down the box she was holding and leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees for a moment. Her ears registered the sound of Daisy's heels clicking away into the distance.
• "Emerald?" Annie touched her back, her voice filled with concern. As Emerald eventually straightened up, assuring Annie she was fine, Annie shook her head in disagreement. "You look pale. Don't you want to go sit at our spot?"
• Emerald felt somewhat relieved that Annie hadn't begun to question the encounter. Perhaps Annie understood that Emerald needed to process things step by step.
• "That sounds good. But you're late for class," Emerald observed, glancing around to notice that the pizza bus had departed, taking its loud music with it. "Don't worry, I'll go to the spot alone."
• "Are you sure?" Annie asked, and Emerald nodded, handing her the box. "I'll see you later."
• They parted ways, and Emerald made her way to the quiet spot beside the main school building where she, Annie, and Justin often studied. However, two people were already there, engaged in a heated discussion.
• One of them, a young man who appeared affluent, noticed Emerald's arrival and muttered something to the taller man with dark hair, who immediately relaxed his grip against the wall and glanced in her direction. The second man had a rugged charm, and there was something captivating about his eyes.
• The rugged-looking man didn't stare for long. With a swift swing of his broad shoulders, he walked away, followed by his companion, leaving Emerald to wonder briefly about their relationship. Deciding it was none of her concern, she realized she should be in class before Mrs. Ruth decided to count her absent for the remainder of the term.
• ......