Arousing suspicion

For an old building, its interior still reflected the age. Lia found a lot of fascinating items maturing along with the walls. What felt like a vintage home captured the little one's curiosity and let it run wild with its perceived exploration.

Glancing to the sides till it reached the structure of the stairs, Lia encountered the person standing at the foot, holding a bewitched gaze. She followed, and it landed on her mother's alluring daze. For a second, Lia could sense the level of affection both shared beyond those puzzled stares. The pressure was too much for the young life to shoulder, for the amount of familiarity exceeded at the moment, and Lia witnessed the person's influence upon her mother's arrested sight.

From birth to till now, Lia never saw such amazed blinded expression on her mother's beautiful face. It is as if this person holds significant value than anyone else. Like the child, Lia's gaze fell to her feet, feeling sorrow from the very distressing thought. The weight of the scene alerted her not to throw any tantrum, for it can backfire and make her mother begin to hate Lia. The happy child is no more to see except for a sad little grimace that displayed no excitement.

Out of reflex, Lia lifted her trembling fingers to hold onto her mother's for support.

Lia did it out of fear from knowing that there is someone who appears closer to her mother than rest. She wanted to firmly hold on to her mother to display her authority and mark her presence.

As soon as those little hands wrapped around Giselle's, Lia exhaled mutely and pressed her grip tighter to cease the attention her mother displayed to this stranger.

Giselle reacted immediately to Lia's presence and glanced over to the sad face that suddenly showcased against the jolly mood Lia exhibited previously.

Lia's little transformation alerted all from their habits, disturbed their on-going activities. The minute Giselle looked away, Lillian regained sense to study her environment. She found the kid to be the cause of this interruption and instantly hated her presence on sight, at first.

Lia's presence bothered Lillian Grey, and the instant anger transformed into despair. The fact that Giselle has a kid irritates and spoils her good mood. However, having faced the situation where she meets the child, Lillian took a subtle little time to observe the daughter. She watched her keenly and discovered that the young bud seems to replica a few of the features from its mother like the eyes and nose, but the lips were not like the mother's, which goes without mentioning that it belonged to the partner involved in crime.

Nonetheless, Lia appeared to imitate Giselle, for overall parts and it loosened Lillian to drop her distress slight to her surprise, and this new sensation sprouting inside can represent genuine happiness to see Giselle being a mother. Without her realizing, deep down in her heart, Lillian Grey felt glad for this meeting. After all, it is Giselle's blood, which Lillian can never bring herself to hate. Though it couldn't overpower the sadness, resulting from the history that the two shared freezing her mind and heart, somehow, the happiness defeated her anger and that it stays hidden at the moment. The slight comfort doesn't surface on her appearance but alone in her aching heart, only allowing the grief to get healed someday.

Edwin, who became the silent witness to all these happenings, took command to control the scene and help it go smoother.

He let the guests to continue their voyage inside the house and suggested them to relive their bags to sit and rest while he can go inside to return with refreshments. Lillian Grey descended the stairs finally and sauntered to another spot, near to the entrance where stood lone chair next to a short stool that holds house keys and mails.

She put on an act to follow-up, whereby performing the task to address the one post that sat on the stool. Lillian posed herself to be focusing on her single mail when in actuality, her sense honed sharp to the ongoing actions nearby. She noticed Giselle help Lia get out of her backpack and loosening her luggage as well. Placing it aside, the two ladies took their seats on the couch. Lillian also seems to be very alert on Giselle's short glances directed towards her. The little one appears still to hold the downhearted face, which Lillian can't apprehend the cause for it.

Edwin returned to find his grown daughter doing a surprise task of checking mail. His eyebrows lifted automatically to express his astonishment.

Chuckling off, of the way Lillian behaved, Edwin didn't care to respond and placed the tray of drinks to please the guests.

..

The tension lay no more in the space, but silence prevailed at all costs. Lillian remained on her seat nearby the entrance refused to leave the spot. Meanwhile, Edwin made sure to be the best host to his guests and paid attention, Giselle and Lia.

To kill the quietness that soon began to haunt everyone, Edwin spoke first.

"I never introduced myself properly. I'm Lillian's father, Edwin Grey. You can call me Edwin," Edwin greeted formally.

Giselle nodded and took the chance to introduce herself as well formally.

..

"I've been waiting for you, Giselle," he uttered.

One sentence, but it still managed only to add more pressure as Lillian learned something questionable.

"Yes, it was all last-minute rush," Giselle replied.

Those two are conversing with much clarity that stunned Lillian Grey.

"Wait-" she spoke for the first time since Giselle's arrival.

"You were expecting for her?" Lillian pointed at her father, and that ruined Edwin's effort to get things lively.

He knew that was an instant regret and that he would carry it for forthcoming years to repent.

Shane's secret plan to lure Lillian back with Giselle is now on the verge of getting exposed, and Edwin's settled fear arose to his brain once again.

He struggled and faltered to answer.

"Tell me, dad," Lillian raised her voice, only to receive no reply, but a repenting face of her father.

Seeing his got defeated early, Lillian turned to her next target and repeated the question.

"Giselle," she called, after much hesitation, yet when uttering those words, the familiar feeling of closeness warmed Lillian, and she lowered her voice instant not to scare the guest.

"Why are you here?" she asked softly, but the doubtfulness still retained on her eyes. Lillian silently demanded an explanation.