Scars Of A Broken Bond

Sabrina walked in, slipped into her slippers, and settled onto the sofa.

Jennie trailed behind, a shadow of nerves, standing next to the couch, her hands tight, eyes cast downward in a mix of guilt and fear.

"Why didn't you go back with the driver? Why come here by yourself?" Sabrina's voice held a chill.

Tears welled up in Jennie's eyes, making them red and blurry. "I didn't want to go back," she murmured, her voice thick with sadness.

"And why's that?"

"Because... That lady picked me up from kindergarten, and everyone saw her. They started saying I was a child born out of wedlock..." Her tears spilled over, glistening on her cheeks like dewdrops.

With eyes brimming with tears and a look of timid hope, Jennie pleaded, "Please, Sabrina, don't dislike me. I'll do whatever you say. I won't upset you. I promise to be good..."

With that, Jennie burst into tears again.

Sabrina watched the frightened Jennie before her, so eager to be loved yet so scared of rejection. She felt a surge of remorse. How could she possibly feel anything but fondness for such a sweet and thoughtful child?

Jennie relied heavily on her. Sabrina couldn't bring herself to resent or leave Jennie behind. Jennie was blameless. She didn't get to pick her family.

Sabrina's grip on her thighs tightened a bit. She pulled Jennie closer and tenderly wiped away her tears. "Stop crying, Jennie. I don't dislike you."

Like a little cat, Jennie pawed at Sabrina's hand. With tears still in her eyes and a sniffly nose, she whimpered, "For real?'

"Yes, for real," Sabrina replied, her heart softening. "I'm upset with Tyrone, but you, I could never despise."

Sabrina's anger was directed at Tyrone for having a child with another woman, not at the child herself.

"Sabrina, you're so nice!" Jennie hugged Sabrina tightly and wept. "I don't want to stay at Wanda's place. I want to stay with you!"

Jennie, always so well-behaved and thoughtful, had never cried this hard or loudly before.

Sabrina felt her heart drop. Yet, she didn't give her consent. She could imagine Bettie's reaction if she said yes.

After a moment, Sabrina suggested, "Jennie, I don't think your biological mom would be okay with you staying here with me. I'll call your dad and ask him to take you back to Starriver Bay. I promise I'll come to visit you a lot. How does that sound?"

Sabrina believed that was the best course of action. If Jennie lived with her, Keilani and Kira would definitely do something.

Jennie looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "Sabrina, you're not going back to Starriver Bay? Could you go back with me? That lady who picked me up from kindergarten can manage me, but not you and Tyrone. Tyrone really likes you."

"I don't want to go back right now." Update first at NôvelDráma. Org.

"Why?" Jennie blinked, confusion spreading across her face.

Sabrina was upset with Tyrone, but there was more to it. "Your grandma is trying to set up your biological mom and your dad, isn't she?"

Jennie gave a small nod. "But dad doesn't listen to my grandma. He likes you a lot. He's already said no to my grandma.

Sabrina said earnestly to Jennie, "See, your grandma doesn't like me much. She's not one to give up easily. She'll do everything she can to keep me and Tyrone apart and to push your biological mom and Tyrone together. And there's something you might not know. Your grandma feels she needs to look out for your dad. She could be a control freak. I don't want her to cause me any more trouble, so I'm not going to go back with you."

Sabrina wasn't too concerned about marriage. She had no plans to remarry Tyrone. Being apart from him didn't bother her. As for the baby in her belly, she supposed she and Tyrone could co-parent it after she gave birth to it.

Living with Tyrone meant Keilani and Kira would undoubtedly cause her troubles. Now pregnant, Sabrina craved a peaceful life and wanted to focus on her baby. It was smarter to let everyone believe she and Tyrone were truly apart. That way, they'd leave her alone and bother Tyrone instead.

Jennie looked concerned and said, "But isn't that exactly what grandma wants? What if that lady takes advantage of this?"

Sabrina smiled gently. "If Tyrone chooses to let that happen, then he's not the one for me. I'll end things with him." "Guess I can't do much for Tyrone then," Jennie muttered under her breath.

Without further comment, Jennie snuggled into Sabrina's embrace.

Sabrina laughed softly and gave Jennie a reassuring pat. "Go on and play with Bun. I'm going to cook, and I'll have your dad pick you up after we eat."

Curled up in Sabrina's arms, Jennie looked up curiously. "Where's Bettie?"

"She's away on a work trip."

"Okay." Jennie then gently pulled away from Sabrina. "I'll go find Bun."

As Sabrina was busy cooking, her phone rang. It was Tyrone on the line. "Is Jennie with you right now?"

"Yes, she is."

"Thanks for looking after her. I'm on my way to pick her up." Tyrone worried Sabrina might be upset by his call. "Sure, you can come over." Juggling the frying pan with one hand and stirring with the other, Sabrina squeezed the phone between her shoulder and ear, clearly finding it awkward. "Anything else? If not, I need to hang up."

Tyrone felt a pang of disappointment seeing Sabrina agree so quickly. He assumed Jennie was undeniable evidence of his infidelities, a constant reminder that pained Sabrina. Each time Sabrina saw Jennie, it reopened old wounds.

Just as Tyrone could begrudgingly accept Sabrina having a child with another man, the thought of seeing that child was unbearable for him. Reconciliation seemed out of reach. The best solution appeared to be having Jennie stay in Wanda's place, where he could visit her regularly.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.

With his slender fingers, Tyrone pushed a button on the desk phone and dialed his secretary's internal line. "What's happening?"

"I'm sorry, sir. Miss Kira Blakely insists on seeing you. We've tried to convince her to leave, but she won't budge," the secretary on duty informed him.

It was nearing seven o'clock, and the secretary was still there, covering for Tyrone until he left.

"Let her in," Tyrone said, furrowing his brows.

Within a couple of minutes, Kira arrived at the chairman's office. She noticed Tyrone lounging in a luxurious office chair, casually leaning back and giving her an indifferent glance.

Kira couldn't help but scoff. "Tyrone, you're really something else. Getting a moment with you has become quite the challenge!"

Kira had invited Tyrone to dinner but he had declined. Even when she went to the Blakely Group for him, she was turned away. Without causing a scene, she wouldn't have been able to see Tyrone at all.

"What is it you want from me, Miss Blakely?" Tyrone asked, his tone unbothered, as if he hadn't caught the sarcasm in her voice.

"You... You're addressing me as Miss Blakely?" Kira sneered, "What's the matter? You don't want to acknowledge me as your mother?"

"If there's nothing important, please leave. I'm busy and can't spare time for small talk. Tyrone then shut down his computer.

"Tyrone, why are you so cold toward me? Is it because of Sabrina? I just told you about Jennie's background and she's your biological daughter. Is it wrong to want her to be part of the family?"