Entangled Strings Of Fate

CHAPTER 4: Increasing Suspicion

Mrs. Smith walked into the living room from the spacious kitchen, interrupting their trance with the sound of her heels. They looked up at her, and she asked if she had interrupted them. They waved her off, still lost in thought.

On that note, Mrs. Smith informed Zoey and William that breakfast was almost ready to be served. William had a crease on his forehead when he replied with hesitation, "Okay..." and turned to look at his wife, Zoey, who had become a bit pale with worry.

She was nervously rubbing her hands while staring off into space. William placed his hand on hers and gently squeezed it, turning to look at her face.

"I think we should talk with Eric and Claire and, I'm still saying we should just cancel today's party and keep them on close watch," he said in a low voice.

Zoey let out a small shriek and shook her head. "No... we've already talked about it. It's Claire's birthday. We shouldn't ruin it for her. Just for today, let Claire and Eric be free of mind, let them make some happy memories. We could tell them about this another day," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

William tried to reassure her. "Look, all I'm saying is, they're both teenagers now. They'll understand if we talk to them. My children aren't as weak as you think."

"So, you're saying I'm making them weak?" Zoey asked, her eyes flashing with frustration.

"No, that's not what I mean. All I'm saying is that they are sensible. Claire might seem like a child to you, but in my eyes, she has grown more mature from living alone in the boarding house. And as for Eric, he isn't a child anymore; he'll turn 17 in a few months." he replied, affirming his belief.

"But I still don't agree with this," Zoey stated, standing on her grounds.

Glaring at each other for a while, William rested his case and slid to her side and hugged her from the side and said, slowly tilting his head towards her, "Okay, we won't, if you say so."

Just then, Eric walked in, munching on an apple and looking amused. "What's happening here guys?" he asked with a grin.

Zoey and William moved apart from their embrace and looked at him. "Oh, nothing," Zoey said with a soft smile hiding her emotions, "We were just discussing something," William mentioned.

Eric raised an eyebrow, "Discussion huh... that too by standing this close, great. Do you guys still take me as a child?" he implied.

"Eric... Stop." William remarked.

"Okay... Well, I was just reminding you and yeah, I was with Jane earlier, if you're wondering."

"Are you telling the truth?" William inquired, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

"Absolutely, you can ask her if you want," Eric replied with a shrug.

William nodded, "Alright. By the way, have you seen Claire? Is she up yet?"

Eric shook his head, "I can't say, but I haven't seen her yet."

Zoey spoke up in between making everyone in the room look at her, "I think we should go and check on Claire and wish her happy birthday now."

"Hmm... Not a bad idea," William said at which Eric adjoins, "But she must be frowning for not getting a single wish until now," taking another dig into the apple.

"Oh, that we can totally handle right honey." Zoey hummed in response.

"Okay then let's just go now." William announced, at which Eric and Zoey nodded their head, and they all headed upstairs to wish her, except Mrs. Smith, who went straight to the kitchen to set up the dining area as it was already late for breakfast.