Collins didn’t have time to answer as the doorbell was heard again.

"I’m sorry, I’ll be right back."

Opening her door, she felt resignation sweep over her when she saw the Senator again. "Can I help you, Senator?"

–

In the meantime, as Annabelle had come out of the room to see Collins and to apologize to Simone. She froze when she saw her mother on the doorstep.

"I’d like to see Annabelle. Please." Catching a glimpse of her daughter, she passed Simone and just walked in.

"Annabelle, I-"

"Go away," Annabelle said, amazingly calm but her tone menacing.

"I, I should go," Collins said, totally lost and nervous.

"No, Collins, come with me, we’ll let them talk alone."

As she saw Simone closing her office, Annabelle felt abandoned. Looking up at her mother, she waited for her to speak. "I’m sorry I never told you about your father. But, don’t shut me out. I’m sorry."

"Mom, dad is one thing. But, there’s so much more! I mean, just look at what you’ve done through the years! Ignoring me, ignoring me, ignoring me, insulting me, threatening me and the person I love… I just don’t want to hear about you just now."

"I won’t apologize about Simone. But I will about the rest. I am sorry."

"Well, come back when you’re ready to apologize about Simone," Annabelle said, showing her mom out. Without further words, she slammed the door on her mother’s face, leaving her on their doorstep, rooted to the spot.

———

"Don’t worry. And come back any time. You’re welcome here. You sure you’re gonna be ok?" Simone asked as she said goodbye to Collins.

"Yeah. Thank you again, Simone."

Simone smiled as it actually was the first time the girl called her by her name without adding ‘miss’ before it. "So," Simone said looking at Annabelle’s guilty face as she hadn’t apologized yet as Collins and Simone had stayed in the office until now "What happened?"

"Baby, I’m sorry about earl-"

Kissing her, Simone smiled "It’s okay. Nice of you to apologize, much appreciated once in a while. So?"

"All I ever wanted was my mom accepting me for who I was, welcoming me into her life. But, now she did, I can’t forgive her. Not now. She hid my dad from me for eighteen freaking years, I can’t just forgive that. Besides, she apologized for everything but her attitude towards you. So, not good enough."