37.

“It was accidental… everything.”

I doubted she'd believe me, but she turned around and faced me. Her pale eyes piercing into my soul. She said nothing.

“It's coincidental that you are Nathan's mum…I didn't know before that press conference… but you knew, didn't you? That I was the man he had been meeting.”

It came as a confrontation, but I guessed she was too weak to stand up.

“I didn't know it would come to all this... I never planned to disclose my identity.” Her confession came as weak and lethargic. Was she okay?

“Are you fine? Do you need anything?” I didn't know whether she was on medication or not.

“Could you just stay away?”

It wasn't her first time of saying this to me, yet I was disappointed.

“That's okay. Take care of yourself.”

***

Layla

His footsteps receded outside the door, and then he was gone. I hoped he was gone for good. It was the best he could do for both me and Nathan.

We shouldn't have him in our lives. Now, I thought the rest of the work remained on me and t