Friction and Fries

CHAPTER 40: A Storm of Emotions

A few hours passed, and Kelsey remained in her room, sprawled across her bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. The weight of the revelation about Luke crushed her spirit, leaving her feeling lost and heartbroken.

Just then, Ms. Prescott quietly entered the room and sat beside Kelsey, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting embrace. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. It's all my fault. I had no idea this would happen," she said softly, her voice filled with sorrow.

Kelsey continued to cry, frustration and pain bubbling to the surface. "Mom, why does it hurt so much? This is worse than losing him to Cammy," she sobbed, the raw emotion spilling out as she clung to her mother.

As Kelsey's tears began to subside, Ms. Prescott took a deep breath, preparing to share the painful story of their past. "We were so in love, just like you and Luke," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "But his parents urged him to marry someone else, someone they deemed more suitable. I was devastated when they separated us."

Kelsey listened intently, her heart aching as she imagined her mother's heartbreak. "When Luke's mother died after giving birth to him, we thought we had a chance to be together again. Mr. Sterling asked me to marry him, but his parents disapproved once more. It was a cycle of heartache."

Ms. Prescott paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "When I found out I was pregnant with you, I went back to see him, to tell him the news. But his mother stopped me at the door. She handed me a check and told me never to return."

Kelsey's eyes widened in shock. "You took the check?" she asked, a mix of disbelief and understanding flooding her mind.

"Yes," Ms. Prescott replied, her voice heavy with regret. "I took it, bought this house with it, and had some money left over to study teaching. I wanted to raise you and give you the life I never had, even if it meant doing it alone. I didn't bother to disturb him after that; I decided to raise you by myself."

"Did Mr. Sterling's parents know you were pregnant when they offered you the check?" Kelsey asked, her curiosity piqued despite her heartache.

"No, they didn't give me a chance to say anything. They just wanted me to leave before your father spotted me. They didn't care about my feelings; they only cared about their family's reputation," Ms. Prescott explained, her voice filled with bitterness and pain.

Kelsey felt the weight of her mother's choices crashing down on her, mingling with her own feelings of loss. "So, all this time, I never knew any of this," she said softly, wiping her tears. "But I'm so in love with Luke. How can I possibly undo these feelings now that I know he's my brother? It hurts, Mom."

"I know, sweetheart," Ms. Prescott replied, her eyes filled with empathy. "I wish I could change things for you." We'll figure this out together," Ms. Prescott promised, holding her daughter tightly as they both navigated the difficult emotions of their intertwined pasts.

"Are you going to answer that? Your phone has been buzzing the entire time," Ms. Prescott remarked.

"It's Luke," Kelsey replied, a wave of anxiety washing over her. "I don't know how I'm going to face him."

Ms. Prescott wrapped her arms around Kelsey in a comforting embrace. "Rest a little and let me know when you need anything," she said softly before stepping out of the room, leaving Kelsey to gather her thoughts.

Just then, Kelsey's phone buzzed with an incoming video call from Tina. Eager to connect, Kelsey answered, and Tina's excited voice filled the room. "Hey, Kelsey! I didn't see you again last night. Your mom called me at 1 AM because she couldn't get hold of you. I guess you must have had a very cozy night with Luke!"