She had to find a way to make up for it.
“At that time, Miss Dawson wasn’t sure if she should keep the child. She went to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor said her health wasn’t good. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to keep the baby; she just wasn’t in a position to do so. Mr. Burns, being a single mother is not easy, and you have to consider that Miss Dawson was not even twenty years old. She was still a child herself, how could she raise another child? Later, she met Liam Burkhart, and there was an accident; the child was lost. Miss Dawson was genuinely sad about it, and that can’t be denied.”
After saying this, Leland Burns remained silent.
Mrs. Protich didn’t dare deceive Leland Burns. She didn’t have the nerve or the acting skills to fool him, so she spoke only what she had seen and heard herself-the truth.
Leland Burns threw the tissue in his hand into the trash can and then stood up. “Make lunch as usual.”
Was it going to be something Winifred Dawson liked again? Mrs. Protich had no objections to cooking or doing housework; she just didn’t want to be confined here. She hoped for some free time, like going out to see her daughter and cleaning up her house in North Bankshire.
She wanted to clean the house thoroughly, just like the day Winifred Dawson left. Maybe when Winifred Dawson returned, she could stay there.
Mrs. Protich hurriedly called out to Leland Burns: “Mr. Burns, can I go out? I promise I’ll be back by lunchtime and dinnertime.”
“No.”
Mrs. Protich’s body stiffened, and her face turned somewhat unpleasant.
“I’ve told you to stay here and not go anywhere. You should know that not confiscating your phone is already my greatest mercy.”
Mrs. Protich didn’t dare say another word of protest, watching helplessly as Leland Burns left. She felt dejected at that moment, finally understanding Winifred Dawson’s difficulties back then-living with such a controlling and paranoid man made it almost impossible not to want to escape.
There was nothing Mrs. Protich could do; no matter how bad her mood was, she still needed to eat. She couldn’t afford to let herself starve; she had to take good care of herself so that when Winifred Dawson returned, she could also contact her own daughter.
Thinking of her daughter reminded her of last night’s phone call from her daughter. When things go wrong, everything seems to go wrong at once. Mrs. Protich sighed and decided not to eat breakfast yet but instead called her daughter first.
The first call rang for a few seconds before being cut off with a message saying “The user is on another call,” clearly hung up by the other party.
Maybe there was still some resentment in her heart; some lessons need parents’ guidance step by step. If children refuse to learn, society will teach them harsh lessons.
Mrs. Protich didn’t want society to teach her daughter those harsh lessons. Hearing the call being hung up made her feel sad, but she quickly pulled herself together and dialed her daughter’s number again.
Just like the first call, it was hung up again. Mrs. Protich immediately dialed a third time.
This time it rang longer.
“What is it?” This time the call was answered.
It was clear from her daughter’s tone that she was still upset with her and didn’t want to talk. Mrs. Protich had anticipated this reaction and patiently asked, “Lily Thompson, where are you now?”
“It’s so early; of course, I’m sleeping! Mom, you’re so annoying! One call is fine, but then you call again and again-why can’t I sleep in peace?”
It was only seven o’clock now; Mrs. Protich realized she had called too early. Leland Burns’ temper was unpredictable; he might confiscate her phone later on. If that happened, she’d be stuck inside with no way to contact anyone outside.
Lily Thompson’s tone was impatient: “Mom, if you have something to say, just say it quickly and hang up; I want to go back to sleep.”
“Mom has some things going on recently and might not be able to see you for a while. Be good outside and don’t cause trouble. Keep practicing your painting even though it’s vacation time; don’t sleep too late. Hard work can make up for lack of talent. Also, make sure you eat well-don’t skip breakfast because it’s bad for your stomach.”
“What do you mean ‘don’t cause trouble’? When have I ever caused trouble?” Lily Thompson’s tone was dissatisfied and aggressive. “You say this every time you call; I can recite it by heart now! Mom, are you going through menopause? You’re always overthinking things! I think I’m very obedient! And what could you possibly be busy with recently? Didn’t your boss go on vacation? You’re just helping look after her house.”
Mrs. Protich didn’t know how to explain it: “Anyway, take care of yourself while I’m not around. Mom won’t say more.” She actually wanted to tell her daughter to stay away from those so-called friends who were all about vanity.
But she feared saying that would lead to a big argument with her daughter, making things worse.
Lily Thompson said: “Wait a minute, Mom-don’t hang up yet.”
Mrs. Protich thought Lily Thompson might finally show some concern for her and stopped what she was doing: “What is it?”
“Mom, since you’re going to be busy for a while and we won’t see each other for some time, shouldn’t you give me some living expenses?”
“Didn’t I just give you living expenses?” Previously, it was two or three thousand dollars per month; after Winifred Dawson raised her salary last week, she transferred ten thousand dollars-enough for two or three months at least-how could she need more already?
“If you’re leaving for who knows how long, what if I run out of money? I’m on vacation now and not at school; ordering food costs a lot of money! And I want to buy some new clothes and shoes…”
Mrs. Protich frowned.
Lily continued: “And painting supplies are expensive! You have no idea how much those papers and paints cost-they run out quickly! It’s really costly; if you don’t believe me, I’ll show you the price list.”
“The painting supplies I sent before-did you use them all?” The supplies were almost brand new when Winifred Dawson said they weren’t needed anymore and sent them over-each sheet costing over a hundred dollars without mentioning other paints and brushes.
“Those were hardly enough! Mom, hurry up and transfer the money-I need to top up my phone credit too! Okay? I’m still sleepy; I’m going back to bed.” With that said, she hung up the phone.
Mrs. Protich stared at the now black screen of her phone-what else could she do? She only had one daughter whom she couldn’t ignore; reluctantly holding the phone again transferred another ten thousand dollars over.
She thought talking with her daughter would lighten her mood but instead felt even heavier-a feeling hard to shake off immediately.