My Four Miraculous Treasures

Chapter 121

How did he know where she lived?

Willow had no clue, but she didn't dwell on the issue. She went straight inside.

Inside, the lights were still on in the living room. Someone was sitting at the dining table, worried sick.

This startled Willow, until she realized it was her own mother. She heaved a sigh of relief, and patted her own racing heart. "Mom, what are you doing, up so late? You gave me quite a fright when I found you here!"

Seeing that her daughter was home, Lara's expression of deep concern was immediately replaced with annoyance. "You foolish girl... don't you know to give us a call, to let us know when you'll be working late? And why in the world wouldn't you answer when I called your handphone?! You think you're such a big girl now, making your own money... no need to bother with your old mother anymore, is that it?!"

Lara prodded Willow in the forehead with an admonishing finger, using anger to balm her lingering feelings of helplessness and despair.

"I don't have my handphone with me when I'm cleaning, mom. That's why I couldn't answer your calls," Willow explained. "It was just one thing after another at work today, so it totally slipped my mind to give you a heads-up. I'll remember next time."

was in lock-up, and the police had only given her stuff back when they released her. There had been no way for her to call home, or to receive any

which was the only reason she'd gotten a

a soft heart. She always used scolding and complaints to hide her concern. Good

much cleaning for you to do, there? Until so late at night? Tell mother the truth... have you been dating somebody?" Lara

doing overtime, in any upstanding company?

Lara realized something was amiss. Her piercing gaze bored into Willow from across the

there's no way!" Willow spluttered nervously. "Honestly, who would be interested in a single mother of four? If I find anyone like that, I promise you'll be the first to know! Anyway, it's late, I'm tired,

eyes. "Drop the act. That time when you turned down Mr.

told you already, that was a misunderstanding all around, mom!" Why did

this hour... Who drove you home?"

Mr. Hughes. Alright, no more talk, I'm about to keel over dead on the spot." If she

a quick shower, and then flopped into bed, pulling

unwound rapidly, and she soon drifted off into peaceful slumber. Meanwhile, Lara remained behind in