Chapter 4 - parental judgement

In the living room, Peter and Mary Miller were having a discussion as they cleared the remaining remnant of the evening. Suddenly they heard the sound of hurried footsteps it caught their attention. It was Isabella Running past them, her face was covered in tears; she slammed her bedroom door closed.

Mary wrinkled, looking worriedly at her husband. "What on earth just happened?”

Setting down the plates, Peter said, "I have no idea." "Let us ask sharon"

The two headed toward the garden, where they had seen Sharon and Davis last. Their eldest daughter was seated on the ground, her face buried in her hands, then they paused at the doorway confused and wondering what was wrong. Davis knelt next to her, looking so worried.

"What is happening here?"? Mary asked, her voice keen with anxiety.

Sharon raised her head, her face white and teary-streaked. Mom, dad...

Peter looked at the two of them "what happened Where is Isabella? Why is she soaked with tears?"

Rising to his feet, Davis moved back as though allowing Sharon to lead. " Sharon has something to tell you" he added, his voice solemn.

Mary raised her arms. "Then please go on we are Listening."

Sharon inhaled deeply while her hands shaking. "It's... about Ethan."

Mary's scowl grew more severe. "What about him?"

Sharon added, her voice little above a whisper, "Davis is his father."

The quiet that followed was deafening. Peter fixed his eyes on Sharon as though she had just spoken another language. Mary blinked, taken aback.

" What did you just say?" At last Peter managed to speak up his voice low and menacing.

" Davis is Ethan's biological father," Sharon said, her voice quivering.

Mary moved forward, her voice cutting. "You mean to tell me that you have always known this?, and you hid this from us and even Isabella your sister."

"I had no idea they were dating!” Sharon answered fast. "I never knew he was in Isabella's life until she brought him home."

Peter shook his head with clenched jaw. "Then When you found out why didn't you come to us quickly You then simply covered the truth From every one.”

Sharon answered, "I was scared," her voice cracked. "I had no idea how to inform anybody. I was attempting to protect Ethan."

"Protect him?" Mary answered, her voice getting higher. "Do you know what this has done to your sister?"

"Mary," Peter said, his voice stern. "Let her talk."

Sharon started wiping her eyes; her words came out in pieces. " None of this was something I had planned. I became overwhelmed learning I was pregnant. I was on my own. I reasoned Davis wouldn't give a damn and he was nowhere to be found. And too much time had elapsed by the time I could think clearly. Then I turned away to begin a new life.

Davis entered the silence he had maintained until recently. "I had no idea about Ethan. Not tonight, either. If I had i known, things would have been different. I wouldn't had pushed for Isabella."

Mary looked at him with a nasty look. " Different how, When your past with Sharon stayed secret, and you have been dating Isabella and preparing a future with her."

To quiet his wife, Peter waved his hand. "Let him talk."

Davis turned to meet Peter's eye. "I never intended to cause trouble between the two sisters. Years ago, Sharon and I got together once. Although it was a mistake, it happened. And now we have Ethan. I'm still trying to process as I had no idea he existed."

Mary went back to Sharon; her voice was quieter but still carried disappointment. "Sharon, why not let us know? Why did you not trust us sufficient to assist you?"

Sharon fell apart, her shoulders trembling. "I didn't want to place my burden on you. I reasoned I could manage it alone. And I panicked about spoiling everything when I saw Davis with Isabella."

Peter groaned loudly and massaged his temples. "This is a big problem, a complete mess." He added

Mary stared at her daughter and her attitude eased. "Sharon, I cannot pretend I am not offended. But I can see you have been carrying this alone for some time."

Sharon said, "I didn't mean to hurt anyone." "I wanted to shield Ethan only."

Peter spoke in a quiet but forceful manner. "Sharon, we can see how much you have gone through even if we are disappointed you did not trust us. The deed has been done already. We now have to work out a solution to the situation at hand."

Mary nodded, rested a hand on Sharon's shoulder. "Sweetheart, you have seen enough. Though we cannot turn back the past, we can help you right now. For Ethan as well also."

Sharon gazed at her parents and let her emotions flow naturally. "Thank you so much mom and dad. But your scolding me earlier made me somewhat terrified."

"We do not hate you," Mary murmured softly. But the situation on ground goes beyond you as well. It relates also to your sister."

Peter turned to Davis, his attitude stiffening. "young man you have a lot of responsibility. You have been courting one daughter while unwittingly neglecting the other and your own child."

Davis looked straight ahead at Peter. "I'll try my best to be responsible for Ethan. I will do whatever necessary to put things right."

"That's the very minimum," Peter stated sharply. "Your road ahead to rebuild any confidence in this family is long."

Mary yawned. "We have to talk to Isabella. She is the one who has been blindsided the most."

The three adult Looked towards the house, where Isabella's door was still closed, as they moved closer Guilt turned Sharon's stomach upside down.

Sharon remarked gently, "She won't want to talk to me."

Mary urged her " you have to give her time. But do not wait too long. This will need more than apologies to correct."

Peter rested a hand on the shoulder of his wife. "Come on, let's go check on Isabella."