THE FISHMONGERS HEIRESS

ADOPTION

Since Claire always keeps her promise, Nora is confused when she finds her job undone, and then uneasy when she calls Claire's line and is told it is switched off. Her mates claimed they hadn't seen her since yesterday, and this made Nora believe something bad must have happened to her. After all her efforts to find Claire proved abortive, Nora informed the school authorities of her disappearance, and a search team was immediately dispatched. Ten minutes later, an unconscious Claire was seen in her pool of blood and had to spend a month in a vegetable state inside the intensive care unit of Rotherham Hospital.

During Claire's blackout, Demetrius was always by her side, attending to her needs, and making sure she received the best of everything. He was the first person Claire saw when she opened her eyes and the one who came to pick her up on the day she was discharged.

"Thank you for being a good friend," Claire muttered, and then patted Demetrius on the shoulder as they walked towards an ultra-Red Tesla Model 3.

"I should be the one thanking you for staying alive. When I saw you lifelessly on that bed, I thought you were leaving me just like everyone did, and that made me cry. Did you know that I sometimes laid my head on your chest to see if you are still breathing?"

"You, Demetrius! You did what?... I can't believe this. And what did you mean when you said everyone left you?"

Demetrius pressed a button on the remote in his hand and the front car door of the passenger seat opened. "That should be a story for another day. Please step into the car."

Claire stepped into a cozy interior and inhaled a lovely scent, smiled, and said, It's good to be alive."

Demetrius laughed back ." I'm happy to see you gay and full of life. Did you know who attacked you that night?

"No."

" I know you lied to the police, tell me the truth, and let me help to bring him or her to justice."

"I didn't remember much of what happened to me."

"Will you let me know if you ever find out?"

"Sure. You will be the first person I will tell. "

A satisfied look appeared on his face as he ignited the car and drove out of the hospital parking lot.

"Where are we heading? This is not the route to the school."

"You are right. We are going to meet Mrs. Rotherham. She asked me to drive you to her place immediately after you are discharged. "

"Oh! The mighty Mrs. Rotherham finally noticed me when I was nearly murdered. Interesting!"

"You never reported to her when you were bullied, did you? She was a busy woman and may never have heard about you or what you were going through."

"She did. She was the one who gave me a scholarship to study at her school and was supposed to do a follow-up," Claire sulked back. She didn't want to see Mrs. Rotherham or any teacher, but just wanted to go home to her mother. They all cast a blind eye when she was bullied, harassed, and tortured. Mrs. Rotherham must have appeared because, this time around, she nearly lost her life. Only one person cares, Nora the cleaner. Unfortunately, she was powerless and a subject of taunts and ridicule as well.

As if privy to Claire's thought, Demetrius leaned towards her and said, "Nora had resigned and hadn't been seen since you got admitted into the hospital."

"Why did she resign? Are you sure she is okay?"

Demetrius shrugged back, drove from the main road, and then turned towards a large black gate. A few meters away, the gate opened to reveal a luxurious villa perching over a sun-kissed hill. The villa exterior is a masterpiece of traditional architecture, with stucco walls that gleam under the golden sunlight, and terracotta roof tiles that add a touch of rustic charm.

When Demetrius dropped her and informed her of his departure, Claire looked scared as she begged, "I feel lost here. Please stay with me."

"I'm sorry, I can't. I have to attend to something urgently," Demetrius mumbled. He bowed lightly to Claire, entered his car, and drove out.

A maid soon appeared and then gestured to Claire to come with her.

As soon as Claire stepped into the living room, she was greeted by an expansive foyer with a polished marble floor, a high vaulted ceiling, and a crystal chandelier that scattered light like a shower of diamonds.

"Please sit down while I inform Madam of your arrival."

The living room is a haven of comfort and elegance, with plush sofas, fine silk drapes, and an antique wall clock.

Claire's eyes were still darting around the living room when she heard footsteps. And a second later, her eyes almost fell out of their sockets when Nora stepped inside.

"Nora! What are you doing here?"

"This is my house."

"Your house?" Claire asked back. She shook her head and mumbled, "This is Mrs. Rotherham's house."

"I am Mrs. Rotherham. Nora is my first name. The woman who entered answered back. She immediately removed her gray colored wig, her mask, and her artificial sagging skin.

Claire's opened jaw drools with saliva when Nora immediately transforms into a middle-aged woman with a beautiful face and radiant skin.

"I disguised myself as a poor old woman and started working as a cleaner so that I can know what's going on in my school."

"Did Demetrius know about this?" Claire managed to ask.

"No." My assistant and some trusted staff were privileged to this secret, but none of the students."

Claire tried to contain her excitement as she peeked into the smiling face in front of her.

"You are such a good girl, the kind that I wish to have as a daughter. You are intelligent, honest, and possess an unusual kind of dogged determination that I saw in myself when I was young. If you don't mind, Claire, I want to adopt you as my daughter."