Chapter 3

Andy stood frozen in front of Nicole. He didn't know how to tell the truth. Sharon took his hand and nodded slightly to give him courage. Nicole continued to watch her father and Sharon. She looked at them quizzically.

"Dad, what's up? What truth?" she asked impatiently. Andy sighed heavily. Sharon cleared her throat and said, "If you want, I'll leave you alone. '"

"No, Sharon!" Nicole interrupted sharply and approached them. "You must be here because you too know this truth that I don't know." she immediately turned to her father, "Well, will you tell me?" Andy took a deep breath and grabbed his daughter's hand.

"I know I can't hide it more from you. Nicole, what I'll tell you is very important. But you have to stay calm." Nicole was surprised. She looked to Sharon that just looking at them from afar.

"Dad, that's so bad?" she asked anxiously.

"Actually ... I don't know if it's bad, but it's very important. Let's talk because I can't hide anymore." They sat on their chairs in Sharon's office. Sharon closed the door tightly and sat next to Andy. Andy felt that his throat is dry. Sharon felt it and immediately handed him a glass of water while Nicole watched them confused. She didn't understand her father's strange movements and Sharon, too.

"Well, I think I waited enough. Someone is going to tell me this hidden truth?" Nicole said angrily. Sharon and Andy looked at each other. Sharon took his hand.

"Andy, you have to be strong. You should do it." When Nicole heard these words, she was confused more than ever. But she still didn't know the seriousness of the whole situation. Andy took a deep breath and cleared his throat, ready to talk.

"Well, Nicole, it's very hard for me. It's about your mother." Nicole looked at him in surprise.

"My mother?" Andy nodded and continued, "Nicole, your mother called me a few days ago. ''

"What? My mother called a few days ago and you didn't tell me?" Nicole interrupted angrily.

"Nicole, calm down." Sharon tried to reassure her.

"Nicole, please." Andy said quietly. Nicole sighed.

"Well, go on, please." Andy knew it would be difficult, but he didn't expect such a reaction from her.

"Nicole, I know it's hard for you, but there is something very important that you should know. I was also surprised when your mother called after 20 years. She told me something that changed my life in an instant." Nicole listened attentively.

"Nicole, your mother said ... she said that ... I ... I have a son who is 20 years old and he is your brother." Nicole's eyes widened and she went into shock. Brother? She just couldn't understand it.

"I have a brother?" she asked with tears in her eyes. Andy nodded slightly.

"Yes dear, I'm in shock too. I can't believe that Carolyn hid it from us."

"But how is it possible? You got divorced when I was 5 years old." Andy sighed wearily.

"Nicole, he's 20 years old now and you're 25 years old. This means that your mother was pregnant then." Nicole wiped her tears and put her hands on his face. Sharon was worried about her. She sat next to Nicole and rubbed her back soothingly. Fortunately, in the department they were alone.

"Calm down, Nicole, everything will be fine." Sharon said softly. Andy took his daughter's hand.

"Nicole, why didn't you say anything? Honey, you're scaring me." Andy was worried about his daughter. It was a big shock for her. Nicole took a deep breath. She trembled with anger and disappointment. She looked at her father.

"Dad, you very well know that I don't want to hear anything about my mother. Now she suddenly called and said that you have a son and I have a brother. And why she's hiding all this 20 years? Why didn't she told 20 years ago? " Nicole asked. Andy sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. Sharon was confused. She didn't know why Nicole doesn't want to know anything about her mother. However, she tried to calm her.

"Nicole, forget the past. I ...-"

"Dad, why do we have to forget the past? Dad, she hurt you a lot. You can't forget that night, just like me. Although I was only 5 years old, I can't forget this disgusting scene. Dad, you think this kid is yours? " Nicole asked heatedly. Andy didn't know what to say and what to think.

"Nicole, I don't know. But you ...-"

"Dad, she can lie. That can't be true." Nicole didn't want to believe it. Andy sat down beside her and hugged her. He kissed her forehead.

"Honey, I gotta tell you something else. Of course, I haven't forgotten that terrible night. But I tried to forget the pain. Nicole, your mother wants to see you for the last time. Because she... She has cancer ... and she just dies ... " Nicole swallowed the lump in her throat. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"What? My mother has cancer? But ..." Nicole couldn't find the words. She closed her eyes. Andy took her hand.

"Yes, dear. Your mother wants to see you, because she's very sick. And I'm the only one who has Nicholas."

"Nicholas?" asked Nicole immediately.

"He's your brother." Nicole put her head on his shoulder and wept. Although she hadn't seen her mother 20 years, now she was sad for her. She couldn't believe that her mother dies. "

"Dad, I'm not bad. I never hated my mother, I was just angry about what she did." Andy shushed softly and rubbed her back.

"Nicole, calm down. I know it, my dear. But you have to see her before it's too late." Nicole looked at her father.

"Dad, what will happen to Nicholas? '"

"He'll live with us when we confirm that he's really my son. But Carolyn couldn't lie, when she's in this state." Andy admitted. Nicole nodded and wiped her tears.

"Dad, I need fresh air."

"You want to come with you?" Andy asked immediately.

"No, Dad, I need to be alone." Nicole left. Andy sighed wearily. Sharon hugged him comfortingly.

"Andy, you want to go home?"

"No, Sharon, I don't want anything. Now that I know my daughter is devastated, I ...-" Sharon took his hand.

"Andy, everything will be fine. Trust me. This is a big shock for everyone. But, why she doesn't want to see her mother? " Sharon knew that this is a difficult question, but she wanted to know the truth. Andy took a deep breath and looked at Sharon. He stroked her face.

"I'm sorry I had to tell you this long ago. Look, Sharon, Nicole suffered a shock when she was 5 years old. She saw her mother with another man. She began to cry loudly and I immediately ran to her. When I arrived at place and saw Carolyn with another man, I was in shock. I managed to get Nicole and we moved away from there. " Andy took a deep breath and wiped his tears. Sharon looked at him sadly and squeezed his shoulder.

"Sorry Andy. If I knew, I wouldn't ask." Sharon said apologetically.

"No, Sharon, that wound never healed. You're not guilty. You have a right to know. Then I divorced with Carolyn and I am glad that the court gave Nicole to me. I haven't seen Carolyn 20 years. So Nicole didn't wanted to see her mother, because she couldn't forget that night. " Sharon hugged Andy strongly.

"I understand Nicole's pain. Especially when she was a child. But now, she must forget the past. She needs to see her mother, because it will be the last time." Andy nodded and kissed her forehead.

"Thanks Sharon. ''

"I'll always be there. But you're tired, come with me, stay with me tonight." she said softly. Andy smiled sadly.

"I can't, Sharon, I didn't want to leave my daughter." Sharon nodded and kissed him on the cheek.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Beware." she warned and took her purse.

"You also." he said quietly.

After about 1 hour, Sharon came home exhausted. She threw her keys and went into the living room. She sighed when she saw Rusty asleep on the couch. She sat beside him and kissed him on the cheek. He opened his eyes and smiled.

"Mom, I waited for you. '"

"I know honey, I'm sorry, but this night was difficult for everyone." Rusty rubbed his eyes and stood up.

"Why? What happened?" he asked concerned. Sharon sighed wearily.

"Andy said all to Nicole. ''

"Oh, how she react to it?"

"Oh, she was very confused and didn't know what to do. ''

"I understand it's hard for her. And how's Andy? '"

"He is very worried about his daughter, I understand. '"

"Yes, it's so hard." Rusty agreed. Sharon looked at her watch.

"Well, Rusty, let's talk tomorrow. I'm pretty tired."

"Of course, Mom." Rusty said softly. He kissed his mother on the cheek and went to his room. Sharon took a deep breath and went into the kitchen. She needed a glass of white wine. Suddenly, her phone rang. She took the phone and saw Andrea's name on the screen.

"Andrea?"

"Sharon, how are you? What's happening? Andy told the truth to Nicole?" Sharon sighed and replied, "Yes. Honestly, it was difficult conversation."

"Oh, I guess. I hope that everything will be fine. ''

"Me too." On the other hand, Andy sat on the couch thinking. When Nicole came home, she looked a little better. She sat next to her father. Andy squeezed her hand.

"How are you dear?" Nicole sighed.

"Better. Dad, I thought a lot. I want to see my mother, because I know I'll not have another chance. Also, I want to see my brother." Andy smiled slightly and hugged her.

"I'm glad to hear that. You're my daughter. You're stubborn like me, but you have a good heart. Nicole, I know it's hard, but now it's different. Forget the past." Andy said quietly. Nicole nodded, "I hope Dad."

~~~ TBC ~~~

Thanks for reading. And please tell me what you think. I promise that Andy sees his son in the next chapter. Please review. What are your views on this chapter?