MILY. JANE'S NAME WAS CHANGED TO ZOEY WHILE HER BROTHER J

IS J

DON

TWENTY

H APARTME

EY

ed and nearly haggard looking I was, it was obvious I had had a bad day. For the entirety of today, I had been going about

and walked in. "Anyone home?!" I yelled, dejec

filled the whole house, causing my stomach to grumble. After such a horrible day spen

e delicacy in her hold. As fast as my wobbly legs could go, I dashed towards the

aring at the French dish sitting on

dded as she proceeded to

rlier sour mood completely vanishing

says, tilting her head

top without some sort of luck or achievement. It re

itely. I stared at her for a minute befor

ed with a wink while I

?" I inquired, grabbing a

as a frown marred her face, mirroring mine. I slowly d

brother be? I t

ng. You look worn out, Zoey. Jame'sno longer a kid and surely, he know

at, so I faced my meal and bega

chastised with a disapp

h bloated cheeks, rolling my eyes at

what happened?" I asked, con

ile ago," she answered as she tensely

d an eyebrow, munc

ice, her father died," she re

banging her hands against the table with disgu

tered staring

iving her a fleeting look. Of course, I unde

ret as she not-so-subtly changed the topic. Her mouth was filled with

at had happened with my deceased parents and brother. My mind flashed b

* ** ** ** ** **

18

screamed out painfully while clasping my head, my eyes quickly fi

shrieked, begging but she wouldn

s, mum?" I wept bitterly as I sniffled countless tim

hair again and landed a resounding slap on my face, sending me to the floor

his was the only woman I knew to be my mother. How could she deny me? Now claiming to not be my mother after knowin

are to not be my biological

s rolling down my cheeks. Standing up gradually, I held my thr

ather!" she yelled again before turning and rushing towards the baby crying in the cot. Ever since li

the room. James hurriedly went to hug

t you let these kids be, huh?! My children!"

you being serious right now?!" she frowned, sne

nsely as he moved towards me an

Charles!" Mum screamed cr

e car door, he brought out some wipers and

arts," he patted our sho

l parents?" James asked sa

od. She never meant whatever she said," Dad replied

ed, feeling anger bubbling in my guts. I sensed that

," he s

f immediately, clutching my

g this, my child. We aren't your biological parents but