�In that case, I need a favor from you,� Renee said slowly, grateful that Lisa was such a kind and helpful person. �Can you help get my phone and call a person named Margaret? It�s been a few days since I contacted her, and I�m sure she�s worried.�

�Okay, I�ll help you call her.� Lisa found Renee�s phone in the bedside cabinet and unlocked it based on Renee�s instructions, then searched for Margaret�s contact number.

Margaret answered the call quickly, and she sounded like she was about to cry. �Ms. Ren, you finally called! Where have you been? I can�t find you anywhere, Adie and Abby are worried sick.� Margaret had even gone to the police station to file a case yesterday.

�Don�t worry, Margaret, I�m just spending time at my friend�s house. Where are Adie and Abby? I want to talk to them.�

�Yeah, they�re here. They�ve just woken up, and been talking about you all day!� After that, Margaret immediately handed the phone to Abby and Adie.

�Where are you, Mommy? Why weren�t you answering your phone? I want to have a video call with you.� Abby whined, rubbing her eyes drowsily.

She used to fall asleep listening to Renee�s bedtime stories, but because so many things had happened lately, she hadn�t been able to spend time with Renee, and she missed her mother very much.

�I�m at my friend�s house, so I can�t have a video call with you two. You and Adie should be good and listen to Margaret. I� might need some time before I can come home,� Renee bit her lip and lied, gripping her phone tightly. If her children saw her like this, they�d surely get scared, but � they would have to know the truth eventually.

�Why not? Mommy, is your friend a bad guy? Is that why your friend doesn�t want you to do a video call?� Abby pouted unhappily. �Or do you not want to see us anymore? Are you going to leave us behind?�

�No, that�s not it. I can�t explain it for now, but you and Adie should know that I�ll always love you two the most no matter what!� That was the only thing that she could say.

Adie instantly sensed something was off, and asked sharply, �Something happened to you, right. Mommy? Is that why it�s inconvenient for you to pick up your phone?�

�No, that�s not true!� Renee said in panic, worried that Adie would investigate her where a bouts.

�I�m safe, and nothing has happened to me in years. So, don�t worry, take care of Abby, and listen to Margaret. Understand?�

KBefore Renee could end the call, Adie said bluntly, �No, Mommy, you�ve gotten into a lot of trouble in the past few years, and you still get into trouble. I think something�s happened to you, and that�s why you don�t want to video call us� How about this, Mommy? Turn your camera on for a second and let me see you; I�ll believe you if there�s really nothing wrong.�

�Umm, well�� Renee stammered, then blurted out, �What are you saying, Adie? I�m hiking with my friend, and the signal is bad. I�ll hang up first!� After that, she quickly ended the call, feeling guilty.

�You�re so lucky, Ms. Everheart! Your children are cute and smart, and they love you so much!� Lisa remarked, looking wistful.

�I�m lucky, but they�re not�� Renee sighed miserably and explained, �They�ve been having a difficult and frightening life with me. They�ve suffered a lot because I�m not qualified to be a mother.�

�No, you can�t say that. I think they�re lucky to have a kind and accomplished mother like you. You might think it�s difficult for them, but I think they�re happy being with you.�

Although Lisa was young, she loved children, and was jealous of Renee�s happy little family. However, their family had suffered a great misfortune, and the children would be heartbroken once they realized their mother was now blind.

�What�s your plan now, Ms. Everheart? Do you� need me to drive you home?� Lisa asked Renee gently, compassion. JrNovels.com