Hearing Cheryl’s words, the tension that had been gripping me eased. She was right. Who else but biological parents would go to such lengths?


    I helped Cheryl into bed, bending over to <b>tuck </b><b>her </b>in and asking<b>, </b>“How have you been feeling these days? Any better?”


    Cheryl replied, “Much better. The doctor says one more round of chemo, and then I can focus on resting.”


    “That’s good to hear.” As I straightened up, Cheryl caught a pendant that had slipped from my cor, carefully tucking it back. “Keep this pendant close. Don’t let strangers see it she advised.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    I was confused. “Why?” Why would a piece of jewelry need to be hidden?


    Cheryl’s eyes flickered as she exined, “It’s just… too valuable. I worry it might attract the wrong attention.”


    <b>I </b>nodded. “Okay, I understand”


    The quality of the pendant was rare, even more so than the ones Timothy had prepared for the unborn child. I understood Cheryl’s


    concer


    I called in Thomas, introducing him to Cheryl. “Aunt Cheryl, this is Thomas. He’ll be handling your divorce.”


    “Ms. Webster, good to meet you. Jane already briefed me about your situation on my way up. I’ll <b>need </b>to talk to you in detail, though,” Thomas got straight to the point.


    Cheryl seemed a bit uneasy. “Hello, you look every bit the high–flyingwyer. How do you charge?”


    Thomas answered, “Don’t worry. Jane and I are friends. It is just a small case for me. I’ll handle it free of charge.”


    I had discussed with Thomas to ease any financial womes Cheryl might have.


    Seeing my nod, Cheryl rxed.


    The rest was out of my <b>hands</b><b>. </b>Leaving the hospital room, I nced outside, hoping to spot Allen, but found the corridor empty. He was gone. His words still left me feeling uneasy.


    Back home, I was distracted all afternoon,


    When people were furious, they often spoke the truth without realizing it. But as Cheryl said, my parents had been too good to me. How could they not be my biological parents?


    Yet, the next moment, I thought of Susan and how she doted on Dorothy. That was no less than a biological daughter.


    In my mind, two little voices were arguing. One said yes, the other no.


    Eventually, I couldn’t resist calling Allen. “Do you have time now? I need to ask you something.”


    After the afternoon’s confrontation, I half–expected him tosh out at me, but he surprisingly agreed readily. “About your origins, right? It’s not something easily discussed over the phone. Let’s meet.”


    My origins? My heart skipped a beat, a sense of being suspended in midair. “Okay, now?”


    “Not now. How about seven tonight… His voice trailed off as if speaking to someone else, and he continued, “The coffee shop next to the Ster Club.”


    Meeting at a coffee shop would seem normal for most, but Allen was a known gambler.


    I was puzzled. “A coffee shop?”


    He coughed lightly, suddenly sounding impatient “Yes,


    I might do something to you?”


    ‘ll be there, I agreed.


    if you want to. I won’t wait forever. It’s a public ce. What are you scared


    I realized I couldn’t get any answers from Cheryl about my origins. And Allen was my only option.