Chapter 6
Liora asked, “That one?”
Evelyn ignored her and focused on studying the crystal bracelet on my wrist with Regina.
My legs trembled. I wanted to pull my hand, back but feared that reacting too strongly would only raise more suspicion.
Regina narrowed her eyes, saying, “It does look similar.”
Evelyn cut straight to the point, “Ms. Sullivan, where did you get that bracelet?”
I forced myself to stay calm. “My mom gave it to me. It’s just a low–quality piece.”
Evelyn shot me a skeptical glance before turning to ask Raymond.
“Raymond, do you remember the bracelet I gave you before? I said I would give it to your future wife.”
Raymond answered calmly, “It’s in the safe.”
I knew he was lying. I didn’t dare look at him, but I could feel his gaze burning hotter and hotter on me.
Evelyn pressed on, “Ms. Sullivan, that bracelet looks like a high–quality piece. How much did you pay for it?”
I was vague. “My mom bought it online. I don’t know.”
Tania noticed my discomfort and quickly came to my defense. “I doubt it’s
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that valuable. It can’t compare to your family heirloom.”
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At that moment, the director and Regina started discussing the charity home’s affairs, and the topic shifted away from the bracelet.
Regina doted on the two children, holding them close as she spoke to them.
Liora couldn’t help but remember, “Regina, it’s getting late. Maybe we should go eat?”
As soon as she spoke, Evelyn immediately scolded, “Why are you in such a hurry? Regina wants to stay longer. You just wait.”
Liora swallowed her frustration. “I’m just worried she might be hungry.”
I observed quietly–Evelyn publicly reprimanding Liora without holding back, showing their relationship was far from warm.
With Liora’s reminder, Regina reluctantly agreed it was time to leave.
She advised me to take care and said she’d visit again.
Before leaving, Regina hugged Cedric and Yvonne with reluctance and sighed, “When will I get to hold a great–grandchild of mine?”
Evelyn rolled her eyes at Liora, who looked embarrassed and pursed her lips in resentment.
I took it all in quietly and calmly saw them out.
Maybe I was imagining things, but I felt like Raymond deliberately glanced our way a few times before they left.
Once they were gone, I rushed back inside to pack.
Cedric looked puzzled. “Mom, where are we going?”
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The kids were confused.
I explained, “Cedric, Yvonne, Mom, and Grandma are taking you on a trip, okay?”
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Whether Liora saw through my act or not, with her nature, she wouldn’t let this go easily.
She and Raymond hadn’t had kids yet, so my two kids would either be taken away by her.
Or worse, destroyed.
I would never allow anyone to harm a single hair on my children’s heads!
Though I was reluctant to leave the home we’d lived in for four years, I couldn’t risk gambling on Liora’s mercy.
I hurriedly fed the kids and continued packing.
When my mother returned and learned what was happening, she was also completely shaken.
“Let’s get out of here! The farther we go, the better!” she urged anxiously.
I planned carefully. “Tania and the director are still with them. It’s not a good time to call or text. I’ll leave a note for Tania explaining we have an emergency and need to take the kids away for a while. We don’t know when we’ll be back.”
I handed the note to the gatekeeper, and with my family, we left Haven House before dark.
We checked into a modest little inn.
My mother and the kids quickly fell asleep. I stared out at the hazy light filtering through the window.
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Even though we had left Haven House, I couldn’t relax.
Our departure only confirmed Liora’s suspicions.
I didn’t know what terrible, crazy thing she might do next.
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Gradually, sleepiness crept over me. I yawned repeatedly and forced my eyes shut.
The inn’s thin walls let in the sound of footsteps creaking outside the door.
I heard a man’s voice, low and urgent. “Hurry up! Don’t let them notice.”
I snapped wide awake.
Holding my breath, I tiptoed to the door.
Through the peephole, I saw several masked men pouring gasoline at the doorstep and then flicking a lighter.
Could Liora have sent them?
The masked men fled immediately after setting the fire.
I rushed to my mother’s side and shook her awake.
“Mom! Wake up! There’s a fire!”
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