Arletta Jessica McDowell POV

I have arrived home. I have heard the phrase 'home sweet home', but it did not apply to me. I wish I had enough money to leave this damn mansion, and Dad never disturbed me anymore. "Lizzy! Welcome back!"

I knew whose voice it was but tried to ignore it. I was already too tired to give a damn. But, without her help, I probably would not have been able to enjoy all the VIP facilities, including free medical treatment. Well, life was too damn hard for me, and I had to compromise with Mom.

I looked up at Mom's face and forced myself to smile. "Yes, Mom. Thank you."

I could not deny that I enjoyed my time in the hospital's VIP waiting room more than in this crazy mansion. Mom glanced at my hand, and she must have realized that I was carrying a bag of food and a brown envelope containing four doctor's letters.

"The food there is so good, until you take it away?" Mom asked without looking at the two objects she had mentioned earlier.

"You were right, Mom. I did not expect the hospital food to be so good. Maybe it's because they know that I ordered it, so all the food is specially made. Even the menu book that was given to me was different." I answered honestly because that's exactly what happened when I was about to order food and drinks at the hospital's VIP lounge.

"That was good. They knew that I would be furious if you got sick after eating there." Mom turned her attention to me, so we locked eyes.

"Maybe so, Mom."

I did not dare speculate, but it could be that what Mom said was true. At least I tasted the delicious food and drinks in the hospital and did not even have to pay. "Let's go to your room," Mom said, taking my left hand, which was not holding anything.

I could not resist Mom's wishes. It was better to be safe than to get into trouble. Mom also helped me get four doctor's letters easily; even all the facilities I enjoyed while in the hospital came from her power. Mom and I arrived in front of a familiar-looking door. As soon as possible, I recognized that it was the elevator door. Mom did not say anything, but she pressed the button, the door opened, and we went inside. Mom pressed the button again, and the doors closed. The elevator moved up, and I was relieved not to be alone. Hopefully, Mom would not suspect that my two phobias had relapsed. "Lizzy."

I was startled by Mom's voice, so I turned my head to the right.

"Yes, Mom? What happened?" I asked, feeling that there was something she wanted to talk to me about.

"How is your relationship with Sammy?" Mom asked back, causing me to frown.

"What do you mean, Mom? Why are you suddenly asking about my relationship with him?" I did not want to answer her question because I wanted to know her hidden purpose.

Mom kept staring at the door, which stopped by itself and opened wide. Mom and I got out of the elevator, but curiosity filled my heart because she did not usually pay attention to my relationship with my boyfriend.

Did Mom remember Dad's question? Honestly, I had no intention of marrying Sammy because we fought so much. How could I marry him if we never got along daily? Fought with your lover daily without a solution was not a good sign in a relationship. Mom had not answered the question yet, so I was curious.Text © 2024 .

We kept walking, and our steps echoed in the hallway. The mansion felt like a haunted house because it was so quiet. Why did not Mom and Dad just have more children to make it more lively? I had no idea. They must have had their own reasons, and I did not want to ask them directly.

We arrived in front of a door, and I recognized it as my room. I opened the door and realized it was dark, so I took three steps back. That's bad! Nyctophobia could flare up, and Mom would definitely notice. "Whatis wrong, Lizzy? Why will you not come in?"

See? Just as I was thinking about that, suddenly Mom asked me. What kind of answer should I give her?

"It is okay, Mom. I just feel a little dizzy, probably because I remember not taking my medicine from the doctor."

Why did I say such a ridiculous thing in response to Mom's question? I hope she did not mind that strange sentence. I crossed my fingers to get my luck.

Mom turned around and looked suspiciously at me. Dear Universe, please help me!

"How can you be so careless? Should you not take your medicine right after eating at the hospital?" Mom asked again in a probing tone.

"I am sorry, Mom." I replied with an apology.

I did not want to prolong my words so as not to get into trouble. I would rather win than have to argue with Mom. She definitely did not want to lose and will keep looking for ways to win the argument.

Mom stared intently for a few seconds while I said nothing. Then she went straight into the room, and I waited outside until Mom turned on the light. My room was lit soon, so I dared go there with a relieved feeling.

The room was quiet. Where was my good boy? He was not here, and I could not remember where I put him before going to the hospital. Was Dex in Ben's room? Usually, my only brother took Dex there, so his orange cat had a playmate. I could ask him later after I finished talking with Mom. I hoped it would not be so long.

Mom and I sat next to each other on the long sofa in my room. I waited for her to start the conversation because it was better and safer in this situation.

"Lizzy."

Mom called my name and did not say anything else. For some unknown reason, I was afraid that she would ask strange questions that might be difficult to answer. "Yes, Mom?"

I replied politely, not wanting to hurt Mom's heart. She was not a perfect mother, but at least she had been giving me the best facilities, even though it was very expensive to use them.

"Did Sammy contact you while you were in the hospital?" Mom asked in a soft voice.

"Sammy called while I was in the VIP lounge, Mom. What was wrong?" I answered her question honestly because that was exactly what happened.

"Is it true that you intentionally turned off the phone while she was talking to you?"

Damn! How did Mom know about that incident? Did Sammy deliberately tattle on our problems to Mom?

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