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Chapter FIFTEEN

I tossed and turned ,trapped in my thoughts....

I couldn't stay on the bed any longer, I began to pace about while awaiting mom's return

The image of a younger Hayden along with that little girl and dad kept resurfacing in my head ..

If Hayden knew my dad then was I perhaps missing something?

I heard some noises in the living room and knew mom was back....

Only she could answer the questions burning through my mind....

I quickly made my way downstairs ,clasping the picture tightly as if it was some evidence of some sort...

"Hey sweetie" she greeted with a tired smile.....

Without saying a word I handed the picture over to her, she accepted it and I watched as the blood slowly drained out of her face...

"Mom what's wrong?"

"Where did you get this!"She snapped , her voice raised in anger...

It was really rear for mom to raise her voice and she looked quite pale now, it was surprising if not shocking to me..

"M..mom?"I called out unsurely

"I'm asking you Graciella!Where did you find this!"She sounded even more harsh this time....

"Mom what's wrong with you?And why is dad with that boy in the picture?"I asked motioning to the photo in her hands

Her gaze looked distant for a moment before she snapped out of it..

"This isn't your dad, now stop with all these silly questions "

She was behaving weird?It was clearly dad in that picture...Her reaction got me even more suspicious

"I just want to know how this photo came about mom, the boy in there is my classmate.....the same one who brought me back home the other day.....Hayden McAndrew...so please give me an answer "

"There's nothing to discuss , let this matter end right here!"

A ripping sound filled the air, she tore at the picture until there was nothing left...

"No!Why did you do that!"I half yelled at the sight littered all over the floor

I was about to start picking up the torn scattered photos when she gripped my arm firmly

"You want to know?Fine I'll tell you!"

"Your dad used to work for Mr McAndrew " her voice sounded bitter and distant...

Dad worked for Hayden's father?This was a very deep realization I never knew

"But dad is a journalist right from when I was born right?you've told me that many times"

She looked as if she was taking aback by my question, her gaze suggested that she was keeping something from me....something important....

"Please tell me everything mom"