In the dead of night in Svelton, the rain was pouring heavily, and the loud, pounding noise of the downpour could ruin anyone's mood.
Unable to sleep, Nathaniel sat by the window, watching the rain pour down.
Due to the strong wind, his clothes were soaked through. Yet, he seemed unaffected by the chill, casually lighting a cigarette.
It had been nearly a year since he last smoked, as he had been taking care of Callum. With Callum absent that night, Nathaniel allowed himself a rare moment of a breather.
Callum's birthday was a painful reminder for him.
The memory of Mavis going into labor during a thunderstorm and not making it out of the delivery room replayed in his mind.
He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and helplessness, emotions that were so much more intense than the rain outside.
Even the swirling smoke could not hide the despair in Nathaniel's blue eyes.
A soft knocking at the door suddenly broke the silence.
Despite the roar of the rain, Nathaniel heard the gentle knocking.
He glanced at the clock and realized it was already 1.30 a.m.
Who could it be?
The knocking came again, this time with two more taps.
Nathaniel stubbed out his cigarette and got up to answer the door.
The hallway was empty, a cool breeze brushing against his cheeks.
His gaze fell upon a small figure standing by the door, looking up at him with timid eyes.
Callum stood there, clutching his teddy bear and rubbing his sleepy eyes.
He looked upset as he mumbled, "Papa…"
He made various noises and flailed his hands, trying to mimic the sound of the rain and hoping Nathaniel would understand.
Nathaniel watched Callum quietly.
He was about to pick Callum up but remembered he had just smoked.
"Aren't you supposed to sleep with your great-grandma tonight? Why did you come to me?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Wait, She’s a Billionaire (Sheena Lawson)
The novel is too abusive it spoils the joy of reading it. I hate the punishment part between sheena and Eliot....