It seemed that Nora Stovall was the new identity Nathaniel had arranged for the former Ms. Oberick. I realized that Nora was determined to conjure a relationship with me.
Outwardly, Ashton and I appeared unaffected by her announcement, treating it as a terrible joke.
Audrey, however, took Nora’s words seriously. “You’re twins with Mommy? Is it like Greg and me? Greg is a boy, and I’m a girl, so we look different. Do you look the same because you’re both girls?”
Before I could clear things up, Nora cut me off. “That’s right! You’re such a smart girl, Audrey!” She smiled so brightly that her eyes had narrowed into slits. Nora added, “You and your brother can call me Aunt Nora from now on!”
I could not explain why, but Nora’s face that so perfectly mirrored mine suddenly became a glaring sight.
I would not have minded the children calling her Aunt Nora in the past when she was still a kind person. Now that she was notorious for her greed and ambition, I could not find it in me to allow my children to acknowledge such a relative.
How should I explain this to the kids, though?
Thankfully, Ashton spoke up and freed me from my dilemma.
Quietly and somewhat sternly, he said, “Gregory.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Ashton continued without blinking, “Was what Uncle Nathaniel said true? Are you struggling with your computer science homework?”
His words implied that he was blaming Gregory.
If Gregory could solve his computer science problems alone, he no longer needed Nathaniel’s help, and we could leave for good.
I thought it rather inappropriate to drag the children into this, yet I remained silent. I was aware this would be the wrong time for me to voice my opinion.
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