Chapter 56: Park of Secrets … (1)

Five years ago…

"Shelby!"

"Mum, just a minute!" Shelby yelled back as she stepped out of her room and ran down the stairs, bumping into her stepfather, James.

"I'm sorry!"

She whispered.

"It's okay, Shelby," James replied sweetly, holding her to stabilize her so that she would not fall. His hand lingered a little too long on her shoulders. As he lowered it, his hand brushed on her breast. Shelby flinched and stepped back from him. 

"Thank you for the help," she ran all the way down the stairs without stopping.

"We are going to be late; let's go!"

Her mother shouted and pulled Shelby along. She did not see the funny look on her daughter's face. Not that she would have cared anyway. Clara was very self-centred and seemed to care little about what happened outside her very self.

"We've got a lot to do today, and you already delayed us by half an hour!"