Chapter 65 Her deceit
AUTHOR’S POV
Stephanie hit her foot anxiously as she stared at the clinic building. She had been waiting for Nia to come back from wherever she went for close to an hour. The assistants said Nia would be back soon. However, Stephanie was beginning to run out of patience. Stephanie remembered the last time she had arrived here to get money from Nia and how she and Mindy had ended up getting locked up by the Alpha all because of a homeless girl she had looked after with her hard-earned money. Her coming here today is her risking everything to get back at Nia.
Even though the Alpha has warned her off, Stephanie hasn’t forgotten the humiliation she had to suffer and how many of her socialite friends have ousted her from their gathering because of what happened. She kissed her teeth in irritation when she rechecked the time and noticed how much time had passed.
“What are you doing here?” Nia asked behind her. She had her guard up in case the older lady intended to pull off any stunt.
Stephanie turned around with a pretentious smile sitting pretty on her face. “There you are. You and I have a lot to talk about.” She said, flipping her hair while leading the way to the office.
Nia entered after her and went to the mini fridge to get herself a soda. She didn’t bother to offer any to her mother. Instead, she took a long sip and sat down quietly. “What do you want? Didn’t you learn enough from being locked up the last time?”
Her insides boiled at the disrespect, but she maintained her cool still. “I came to apologize.”
The response had Nia in shock. She didn’t think there would ever come a time when she would hear such sacred words from her adoptive mother.
“What?”
Stephanie held up a pitiful expression. “I know I haven’t been your best mother over the years. Even if you aren’t my blood, it doesn’t change the fact that I am your mother, and you carry my family name. I should have known better and not treated you differently from the rest of your siblings. The problem I had then was listening to the bad advice from outside. Everyone who knew of your person had something or the other to say. They said I should not treat you well; that way, you won’t surpass my children in anything. I let the words seep into my pores and started acting out.”
“Mum-”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
“Please, Nia. Let me finish. I need to get it all out. I am here on behalf of everyone else in the family. The shame they feel has prevented them from standing in front of you. We apologize for ousting you when all you have ever desired was to be loved by us. I had a lot of rethink when I got released. I realized how much of a bad mother I have been. I don’t deserve to be called a mother. I am extremely sorry, Nia. Please forgive me. It might be hard for you to accept this, but it’s understandable. I want you to know that whenever the time comes and you intend to see your family again. Our door will always be open to you.” She said, sobbing quietly.
The sight moved Nia. She turned her face away to wipe at the tears. Nia has been waiting for this day for so long. All she desires is her family’s affection. It dawned on her some time ago that it might never come. However, the times have changed, and so has her mother. The door opened while she was still gathering her thoughts to speak.
“So sorry to bump in. But there is a patient who requires your attention quickly.” The assistant said.
Nia wiped her tears quickly, “Give me a minute, mum. I will be back.”
“It’s okay, darling, take your time.” Stephanie urged, smiling a bit too widely.
The moment the door got shut, it was just Stephanie. She glanced around quickly and searched her back hurriedly for the strange tiny bottle with poisonous content she had brought from home. She didn’t think it would be this easy for her to gain access, but she had determination from the beginning. Glancing around again, she opened Nia’s soda drink and poured almost half of the poison into the drink. She was satisfied with how easily it diluted with the soda. She sat back in her chair with her hands clasped together innocently.
Nia returned not too long. She seemed very eager to talk to her mother. “I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting, Mum. The patient had a strange wound on his leg.”
“Have you been able to heal him?”
“Sure, it doesn’t take much time. The goddess sure loves her people. Thank you so much, Mum, for this moment. You don’t know how much it means to me. I don’t have any grudge against you. All I want is for us to be happy as a family. I am so grateful the time has finally come.”
Stephanie sighed, reaching for her hand. “don’t mind this insensitive mother of yours. I know I can be too much most times. Every so often, I wonder how Levi loves me all the same. Pardon me, my darling. I promise to be good from now on.”
Nia blinked back the tears in her eyes. Aside from the first time she had sex with Gael, this moment, right now, is her happiest. Having Stephanie hold her hand gently with no hostility brewing makes all her worry disappear.
“I also promise not to be rude anymore. I apologize for how I have acted towards you lately. I will also make amends with Mindy. We are sisters and shouldn’t be bickering at each other over anything. I really can’t wait to see all of us back together.” She giggled.
“Kingston will be happy with us now,” Stephanie said.
“I don’t doubt that. Tell me, what would you like to eat? Should we go out for dinner? We can invite everyone, too.”
“I think a family dinner will be better. We should invite Kingston back home, and he isn’t pleased with your father and me. But I believe with you back in the family, he wouldn’t mind.”
“Definitely. Oh, my goodness. I am so sorry, please. Where are my manners? What would you like to have?”
Stephanie wanted to refuse at first, but then she had a rethink. Not accepting the hospitality will raise suspicion. “I don’t mind having the soda for you too.”
“Okay.” Nia stood up to get her soda while grinning from ear to ear.
“Thank you.” She mumbled, taking the drink. “Let’s toast to a better future,” Stephanie suggested. Nia did as told excitedly. She gulped down half of the content to Stephanie’s satisfaction. Checking her time, Stephanie cleared her throat. Chaos will erupt in the next ten to fifteen minutes. It would be best if she leaves as soon as possible. “I should go now, Nia. I have another place to get to. I will call you tonight when I return home. Be sure to come for dinner when Kingston arrives.” 
“I’m down for it,” Nia assured. “Let me see you off.”
“Sure.” She agreed.
Nia smiled as she waved her mother off. On entering the clinic, she told the assistants that they could head home if done for the day. Returning to her office, she felt the discomfort mounting in her body after a few minutes. Her eyes became blurry, and her breath hitched. She pulled at the top of her dress to take in some air.
Just then, she coughed out blood, and the room seemed to be turning. In her attempt to reach for the phone, she fell off the chair, and darkness evaded her sight.