Chapter 105

Richard's point of view;

“No!” my mother protested almost immediately. “I am not letting that woman into this house,” she said, shaking her head firmly.

I stared at her, feeling utterly helpless.

“What choice do we have?” I sighed, turning toward Lilly, who still hadn’t stopped crying. Her voice had turned hoarse from crying so loud. “As far as she’s concerned, she’s just here with a bunch of strangers. Her mother’s the only one she knows.”

But my mother was unmoved. “No, Richard. Don’t you see it? Laura planned this. She took that little girl because she knew she could use her to crawl back into your life,” she said, walking toward Lilly.

“And I’m not going to let her,” she muttered, reaching out and grabbing Lilly by the arm. “Listen here, little girl,” she snapped. “You better behave! Your mother’s not here, and we’re all you’ve got.”

“Mum!” I gasped, rushing to her side. Lilly froze, eyes wide with fear, before bursting into a louder, more frantic wail.

“Stop it, Mum!” I hissed,