Bonjour guys! Sorry for updating late! I just got home from work ( I worked even if it's holiday ;(...) Anyway, i hope you like this chapter. 

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  "I-I thought y-you're nice b-but why are you p-pretending to be my mom?" -Camila 

JEWEL's POV 

I remained standing there, shocked, because of what Camila said. My mind went blank, totally blank as her eyes bored at me. I could see the anger in those beautiful but feisty orbs. Now that I stare at her, I just realized that we have the same eyes, lips and upturned nose. One glance at her and one could say that she's my and Zander's daughter. Why didn't I see it before?

"I don't want to see you because you're bad!" I was pulled out of my shock-like state upon hearing her voice again. She was now standing in front of me and bravely facing me. I didn't know what happened to her while she was with those kidnappers but I knew something was wrong, very wrong.

I reluctantly move forward and was about to touch her hand when she evaded it and it made me almost burst out into tears. But instead of bursting into tears, I tried my best to remain calm even though my heart was beating nervously and hurting at the same time.

They said it's easier to talk and explain to children whenever they don't understand something but no. It's so difficult.

"C-Camila, baby...Can you please listen to me? I am telling you the truth. I am your mo----"

"No! You are a liar! I thought you're nice but my mom's right! You're a liar and a bad person!" Now, I am really confused and worried at the same time. Looks like someone manipulated my daughter. I felt the anger slowly eating my chest. First, they kidnapped Camila. Then they shot Zander. And now this, they manipulated my daughter to use her against me. What is their motive? Why are they doing all these?

My head began hurting because of so many 'why's in my head but I couldn't think of any answer. I know for sure that we didn't do anything to these people. They didn't ask for money so it's very obvious that they're up to something.

"Get out of here! It's your fault that daddy got hurt! I hate you!" Camila was now pushing me and wants me to leave. She was now crying as she remembered her father.

I couldn't take it anymore. I knelt in front of her and enveloped her small frame in a tight embrace. She was trying to push me away from her but I didn't let her go. I know she's hurting and confused but I won't ever leave her. She needs me now and I will do anything to have her affection and make her believe me. I am her mother and no one else could claim my position!

She stopped fighting me and cried on my shoulder. I stood up with her still in my arms and then put her down on the edge of the bed.

She quickly laid down on the bed and hugged her teddy bear while her back was facing me. She's still sobbing softly.

"Baby, please don't cry because I am hurting seeing you like this" I sat beside her and kissed her temple.

"I-I thought y-you're nice b-but why are you p-pretending to be my mom?" She asked with a broken voice, still not facing me. My heart clenched.

"I am not pretending, baby. I am your mother and your father knows that too. Sorry that I didn't recognize you before but the important thing right now is you're with us, safe and alive" I wanted to explain everything to her but I don't know how to. She's still too young to understand all of these. Zander, please wake up. I need you here...

Camila faced me with furrowed eyes brows. I wiped her tears using my thumb. It hurts me so much when I see her crying.

Now I know why I feel hurt everytime I see Camila crying at school. She's actually my daughter. My daughter that I had mourned for the last 6 years.

"I want to see daddy" She suddenly said and sat up upright.

"You'll see him when he gets better. I just have a request to you, baby"

"What is it?"

"Can I stay with you while your daddy's in the hospital?" She didn't answer immediately. She was just staring at me. I know she's confused and having second thoughts.

"Baby, I won't do anything to you. I just want to be with you because your daddy will be staying at the hospital for a couple of days. I missed you so much, you know that? When you got separated from me, I was so sad and I cried a lot"

"B-But mommy told me not to talk to you because you're going to hurt me"

"Mommy? Someone told you that she's your mommy?" I asked exasperatedly but trying to control my anger. My fists clenched furiously.

"Yes. She even had a picture of me when I was a baby with her and she told me that she and daddy loved each other"

"Look at me, baby. I know you're still a baby to understand all these but please, let me stay by your side while your daddy's still in the hospital. We can ask daddy when he comes home. He will tell you whether I am lying to you or not. But for now, please let me take care of you. Can I do that?" She looked at me with suspicion. I heaved a sigh and held her hands. Thankfully, she's not shouting or shoving me away anymore.

"Baby, did I ever lie to you? Did I ever do something that you didn't like?" She shook her head no with reluctance. I smiled inwardly.

"Then, can you trust me and let me stay here with you?"

"But mommy said that I should not talk to you" She called that impostor a 'mommy' again and It breaks my heart everytime she says it. I am her mother but she calls another person her mommy. I squeezed my eyes shut for good two seconds to calm myself down.

"Camila, listen to me. Let's wait for daddy to come home so that he could tell you who your mommy is. For now, can you give me a chance?" she nodded her head and I almost gasped in relief. My heart leapt for joy and couldn't help myself and hugged her tightly. I kissed her forehead lovingly. God, it feels so good holding my daughter like this...

****

4 days later

I looked at Camila as she answers every question of the child psychologist. She looks fine and answers all the questions smartly but she never smiled.

I just waited there at the corner until the doctor finished talking to her.

"How's everything Mrs. Goldman?" I asked after their session. She smiled at me and looked at Camila who's quietly playing with her doll.

"Ahm, Camila is suffering from trauma but you don't have anything to worry about, Ms. Morrison. It's not that bad. We can still do some sessions to cure it. I noticed that she reacts even to a sudden loud sound she hears. Maybe she got this from what she witnessed that happened to her father. I suggest for her to come here at least twice a week so that we can do something about it"

"But, she'll be fine soon, right?" Mrs. Goldman smiled with assurance.

"Don't worry, Ms. Morrison. She'll be fine" I thanked her and then we went out of the clinic. The police also interviewed Camila together with Mrs. Goldman a while ago. I thought she would whine about it again but thankfully she didn't. She cooperated and answered all their questions.

"Baby, where do you want to go before we go to the hospital?" I asked her while we're on our way to the parking lot.

These past 4 days, she slowly warmed up to me which is a good sign. I didn't hear her talking about that mommy of hers which made me feel relieved. She smiles now even though not that much but at least, she does.

There are times that she would ask for pizza and other junk foods which I didn't give her. I remember Zander told me that he doesn't let Camila eat junk foods so instead of giving it to her, I told her that if she behaves until Zander wakes up, I'll buy her pizza as a reward and she agreed.

"No. I want to see daddy now" She answered.

"Okay, baby. Let's go to the hospital now"

****

When we arrived at the hospital, as usual, we just stayed outside the room of Zander in the ICU. Camila and I just looked at him through the acrylic see-through mirror from the outside.

"Mo---Ms. Morrison, why can we go inside daddy's room?" I held my breath as I heard her spoke. I thought she would be calling me 'mommy' but she didn't. I got so excited too quickly. I guess, I still need to work my way to my daughter's heart and earn her affection.

"I can go inside, baby, but not you. You're still too young to go in there. Don't worry, I'm sure daddy knows we're here. He would wake up soon for sure so just keep on praying for him, okay?" She nodded her head. I picked her up and we watched at Zander together.

After the visiting hours, we decided to go home. I didn't want to leave yet and just be with Zander but Camila complained that she's starving and tired.

We we're at the hallway, walking towards the lobby when a familiar face blocked our way. I stopped on my tracks. I couldn't believe that he's here.

"What are you doing here?" I asked through gritted teeth. His expression was serious as he stared at me and Camila alternately.

"I-Is she my----"

"Yes, she is. Sorry but we're in a hurry. We need to go" I said coldly and was about to walk passed him when he spoke again.

"Please Jewel. Can we talk? I need to tell you something important" He begged which made me laugh with sarcasm.

"Dad, we don't have anything to discuss about. I already told you, forget about me and I'll do the same. I don't know why you're here but it's not my business anymore" I picked Camila up and began walking briskly towards the parking lot.

"Ms. Morrison, who's that man?" Camila asked as she gazed back at my dad who just remained standing there and looking at us.

"Let's not talk about him, baby. We need to get home. You told me that you're hungry, right?"

"Yes but I want to know who that man is" She insisted. I heaved a sigh.

"He's your grandfather, baby. He's my father" I answered. I stopped walking and stared at Camila. Her eyebrows were furrowed.

"But---"

"Let's not talk about him, baby. C'mon, get in" I instructed as I opened the car. I buckled her up on her seat and then got in the driver's seat. Shortly after that, we're on the road to Zander's house.

That night, after our dinner, I tucked Camila to bed. I was about to go out and go to the guest room I was occupying when she spoke.

"Can you read me a story, Ms. Morrison?" I stopped on my tracks and couldn't answer her immediately. Did I hear her right? She just asked me to read her a bedtime story!

I tried asking her before if it's okay for me to read her a bedtime story but she declined. But now, she was the one who asked me and I felt so happy about it. I sat back on her bed and got a children's book from her mini shelves of books. I chose the story 'Little red riding hood' and began reading it.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a village near the forest.

Whenever she went out, the little girl wore a red riding cloak,

so everyone in the village called her Little Red Riding Hood.

One morning, Little Red Riding Hood asked her mother if she could go to visit her grandmother

as it had been awhile since they'd seen each other.....

I was discreetly observing Camila who was just listening to the story. She's hugging her big teddy bear. I noticed that her eyes were already half closed. She's about to fall asleep. I continued reading the story which was almost finished.

She ran across the room and through the door, shouting, "Help! Wolf!" as loudly as she could.

A woodsman who was chopping logs nearby heard her cry and ran towards the cottage as fast as he could.

He grabbed the wolf and made him spit out the poor Grandmother who was a bit frazzled by the whole experience, but still in one piece."Oh Grandma, I was so scared!" sobbed Little Red Riding Hood, "I'll never speak to strangers or dawdle in the forest again."

"There, there, child. You've learned an important lesson. Thank goodness you shouted loud enough for this kind woodsman to hear you!"

The woodsman knocked out the wolf and carried him deep into the forest where he wouldn't bother people any longer.

Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother had a nice lunch and a long chat.

When I finally read all the pages, she was already breathing steadily. I smiled and kissed her forehead tenderly. I wanted to stay in her room and be with her but I wouldn't want to surprise her like that. Until now, she couldn't call me mommy and I am hoping for that day to come soon. I remembered Zander. Love, please come home soon and tell Camila everything....

I heaved a sigh and kissed Camila's forehead one more time. I was about to get off the bed when I felt her hugged my arm. I smiled happily and didn't move. I stared at her for I didn't know how long and didn't notice when I fell asleep.

When I woke up the next morning, happiness filled my heart as I saw my daughter hugging me. She looks so serene and innocent. I carefully touched her cheek as I stared at her cute face. I traced the outline of her nose gently as I smiled to myself. I felt contented and happy being with her. She treats me as her teacher until now but I can tell that I am slowly penetrating her defenses. One day, you'll call me mommy, baby. When that day comes, I would be the happiest mom on earth for sure.

I was about to go back to sleep when I heard a ringing sound. I frowned and tried to determine where it is. Then I realized that it was coming from under Camila's pillow. I pulled it out so gently and thankfully she didn't wake up.

I looked at the phone and saw a private number calling.

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