The Unexpected Husband

Chapter 4

Tatiana's embrace enveloped me tightly, and tears streamed down my face. Richard didn't provide any indication in the letter about his well-being. How can I find solace in this uncertainty?

"Find solace, Edna. The Lord is compassionate, let us offer our prayers for Richard," Tatiana uttered to me.

"The Lord is aware of my constant prayers for Richard's well-being, Tatiana," I responded tearfully.

Tatiana's deep sighs filled the air. In that moment of shared sadness, Tatiana held my hand and offered a comforting presence. We stood there together, finding solace in our faith and the power of prayer.

"Tatiana, thank you for being here for me," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude.

She squeezed my hand gently, her eyes reflecting empathy and understanding. "Edna, we will continue to pray for Richard's safety and for your peace of mind. Remember, God's love and guidance will always be with you."

Her words resonated deeply within me, reminding me of the unwavering support and love that surrounded me.

I dabbed away the tears that welled up in my eyes, stealing a quick glance at the time on my trusty wristwatch. The recess time was drawing to a close, with just a few minutes remaining.

I had only managed to consume a small portion of the food Tatiana had kindly brought. It wasn't long before she took her leave, and I expressed my heartfelt appreciation and offered her a warm smile.

After a while, the bell rang again, indicating that recess time was over. Some of my students also returned to the classroom.

I took out my face powder and lipstick from my bag. I needed to do a quick touch-up. But in my heart, the Lord knows that it is enveloped in deep sadness for Richard.

After a few hours, it was time to go home. I organized all my belongings in my own bag. Tatiana entered my classroom.

"By the way, where is Emma? I don't think I noticed her today," I asked. Emma is one of my co-teachers and a dear friend whom I've been wanting to see for a while.

Tatiana paused for a moment, thinking, before responding, "I'm not sure, I haven't seen Emma today either. Maybe she's in a different classroom or had some other responsibilities to attend to."

I nodded, slightly disappointed that I didn't get to see Emma that day. She was not only a wonderful colleague but also someone I considered a close friend. We often shared stories, laughter, and supported each other through the ups and downs of teaching.

As I packed up my things in my bag, I couldn't help but wonder how Emma was doing. I made a mental note to reach out to her later to check in and plan a time to meet up. Friendships like ours were important, especially in a profession as demanding as teaching.

With a smile on my face, I bid farewell to Tatiana and left the classroom, looking forward to the next opportunity to reconnect with Emma. I knew that no matter how busy our schedules were, we would always find time for each other.

Fortunately, the students' pick-up arrived promptly, allowing me to rest early. I glanced at my wristwatch, realizing that it was almost five o'clock in the afternoon.

I closed the door of my classroom and made my way towards the parking lot. Upon reaching my car, I quickly opened the driver's seat and got inside.

I started the car and drove out of the school, making my way home along the familiar road.

Upon arriving at the mansion, I immediately entered inside. I was greeted by a few staff members, but my attention was caught when I saw a young boy. I stared at his face intently.

"Hi," he greeted me. I smiled back at him. His face seemed familiar, but as I remembered Richard, my heart started to beat faster.

"Ma'am, he's with Sir Charles," one of the staff members informed me.

"Where is your Sir Charles?" I asked.

"He's in his study room. Sam wanted to see you, so he came out," the staff member replied.

"Sam, that's the little boy's name?" I asked with a smile.

"Yes, ma'am," he answered.

With a smile, Sam approached me and held my hands. "How old are you, Sam?" I asked with a smile.

"I am five years old, are you Ma'am Edna?" he replied, a sweet smile lighting up his face.

"Yes, that's me. How did you recognize me?" I asked him, genuinely curious about the child I was talking to.

Sam's face resembles a mix of Richard and Charles, which confuses me.

"Sam, is Charles with you on your way here?" I asked, maintaining a smile on my lips as I inquired.

"Yes, ma'am, Daddy Charles," he replied. My eyes widened upon hearing his words. Daddy Charles?

"Did it surprise you, ma'am?" he asked.

"I would be lying if I said it didn't, Sam," I responded gently.

"Where is your mommy, Sam?" I asked him.

"She left me with my grandma, Lola Rochelle. Would you like to meet my grandma? She's in the garden enjoying the breeze," Sam replied to me.

Curiosity piqued, I couldn't resist the opportunity to meet Sam's grandmother, Lola Rochelle. The thought of getting to know the person who played a significant role in Sam's life intrigued me.

"Sure, Sam! I would love to meet your Lola Rochelle. Lead the way to the garden," I replied, a hint of excitement in my voice.

Sam's eyes lit up with joy as he took my hand and guided me towards the garden. We walked through a picturesque path, adorned with colorful flowers and the soothing sound of chirping birds.

As we approached the garden, I caught sight of an elegant woman sitting on a bench, gracefully enjoying the gentle breeze. Her warm smile welcomed us as we approached.

"Lola Rochelle, this is Ma'am Edna," Sam introduced me with pride.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lola Rochelle," I greeted her warmly, extending my hand.

Lola Rochelle reciprocated the greeting, her eyes filled with kindness. "The pleasure is mine, Ma'am Edna. Sam has spoken so highly of you."

We engaged in a delightful conversation, sharing stories and laughter. Lola Rochelle's wisdom and love for her grandson were evident in every word she spoke. It was a heartwarming experience, witnessing the bond between Sam and his Lola.

I realized how fortunate I was to have crossed paths with Sam and Lola Rochelle. Their presence reminded me of the beauty of unexpected connections and the profound impact one can have on another's life.

I'm not sure what the connection between Sam and Lola Rochelle is in Charles' life, but who are they to him? Could Sam be Charles' child from another woman?

"I'll leave you for a moment, Lola Rochelle, Sam," I bid them farewell with a smile.

I walked towards the study room where Charles was. I don't know why, but I needed to make sure whose child Sam was, whether he was Charles' or Richard's from another woman.

Because if Sam was Richard's child from another woman, I don't think I could bear the pain. I hoped that Sam was Charles' child and not Richard's.

"Manang, please bring some snacks for the grandmother and grandson in the garden," I instructed one of the staff members.

"It's already done, ma'am."

"That's good to hear," I replied.

Feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I approached the study room where Charles was. I needed to have an honest conversation with him to clarify the situation. The uncertainty of Sam's parentage weighed heavily on my heart, and I hoped that Charles could provide some answers.

As I entered the room, Charles looked up from his desk, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Edna, what brings you here?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

With a calm demeanor, I mustered the courage to address the burning question in my mind. "Charles, I hope you don't mind, but I need to ask you something important. Is Sam your child?"

Charles paused for a moment, his gaze shifting as he contemplated his response. Finally, he spoke, his voice filled with sincerity. "Edna, I understand your concerns. Sam is indeed my son."

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Charles' response. Thank goodness, it meant that Richard didn't betray me.

"I hope it's okay with you that they're here," Charles said to me.

"No problem at all," I replied.

I could hear Charles let out a deep sigh.

"I'm leaving now," I bid him farewell. He simply nodded in response. But as I stepped out of Charles' study room, I couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. Why wasn't I convinced by his answer?

Just as I exited Charles' study room, I was startled to see Sam's smiling face.

"Oh, why are you here, Sam?" I inquired. "Did you leave Lola Rochelle in the garden?"

"Lola Rochelle needs to rest because of her heart condition. Daddy Charles is currently taking care of her treatment," he explained.

My heart was deeply moved by his words. I couldn't help but notice the hint of sadness in his eyes. Smiling, I reached out and embraced him tightly.

"From now on, you can call me mommy, is that alright with you?" I asked, beaming with warmth. His eyes widened, and he instinctively covered his mouth. Unexpectedly, tears began to stream down Sam's innocent face.

"Why are you crying, Sam?" I asked, filled with concern.

"I can't believe it, I finally have someone I can call mommy," he responded to my question. It felt as if my heart was breaking upon hearing his words.

"I promise to care for you and love you as my own child, Sam. Does that sound good to you?" I asked, a smile spreading across my face. Emotions overwhelmed me, and tears welled up in my eyes as well.