Filed to story: Eight Uncles Beloved Treasure
“Relationships in the modern world are no longer based solely on the bond between a mother and daughter-in-law! That’s a thing of the past! A mother-in-law should know how to establish boundaries with her son and daughter-in-law! She’s just causing trouble if she interferes in matters that are none of her business!”
Both the mother and daughter argued back and forth.
It was as if the Crawfords owed them something…
Winona finally calmed down after venting her frustrations.
It was already dark outside, and yet no one had contacted her, leaving her restless.
“I should go home! I… I’ll beg her. I’ll do anything for Hannah.”
Winona, still afraid of being driven away, hesitated.
The elderly woman, Helen Jones, glared at her. “Why should you be the one to beg?! You’ve always been too kind. That’s why everyone picks on you!”
She pulled out her phone and finally contacted a servant from the Crawford manor after dallying around and inquiring about Hannah’s fit earlier in the day.
Hannah’s grandmother said matter-of-factly, “Look! Hannah’s crying because you aren’t there with her! Don’t worry, they won’t be able to handle her! You should wait for them to come and beg you!”
Winona hesitated. “That’s impossible…”
The elder folded her arms. “What is? What child can be away from their mother? You’ve never left Hannah’s side ever since she was born. She’s definitely going to cause trouble at bedtime tonight.”
They had no idea that even Winona couldn’t coax her daughter when she acted up.
Even the mother had a hard time. What more the Crawfords?
“Be good. Listen to me. Do you think they don’t know where you are?
Winona couldn’t make up her mind, but Helen had a point.
It was true that no one could handle Hannah whenever she cried. The Crawfords wouldn’t possibly allow her to cause a fuss at night, would they?
Even if she managed to fall asleep, what would happen the next day?
Hannah was also incredibly grumpy in the morning. Even the slightest disagreement would have her smashing everything in sight. No one but her knew how to coax the child.
Zachary was also there.
Zachary seemed easier to handle compared to Hannah at first glance, but he was the worst of the two. He loved to play games. Whoever tried to lecture him about it would get a phone angrily thrown at them. He was as stubborn as a mule.
Winona felt relieved after thinking about it.
She decided to take a gamble. Watch and see. They’ll see that they can’t do without me. They can’t make me divorce Liam.
**
Without her mother by her side, Hannah became teary-eyed that night.
She, however, learned not to fuss after the incident with the unfillable bucket.
Margaret felt sorry for her. “Sleep, Little Miss! Tomorrow will be a better day.”
The girl clutched her quilt with tears streaming down her face…
“Get out! I don’t want you!” She choked out.
“Little Miss…”
Hannah suddenly grabbed a pillow and threw it at the woman’s face. “Go away!”
I don’t want Margaret! I want Mommy!
Hannah wasn’t outright wailing anymore, but her bad temper remained. She haphazardly swept everything off the table with a resounding clatter.
Margaret had no choice but to leave. “Ring the bell if you need anything.”
She ran into Bettany outside with Lilly by her side, dressed in pajamas.
Bettany asked, “Is she throwing a tantrum?”
“She’s doing much better. Please don’t be angry with her. She’s just a child…”
Bettany hummed.
It was exactly because she was a child that she had to be disciplined.
Were they expecting her to suddenly understand how to be a sensible person when she reached adulthood?
Impossible.
Lilly hugged her rabbit toy and knocked on the door.
She started with a childish voice. “Hannah, are you scared to sleep alone at night?”
She poked her head in and whispered, “There are ghosts at night! Aren’t you scared? Can I stay with you?”
Hannah glared at the younger girl as if she were an enemy.
She was definitely saying that on purpose.
“I don’t want you here! Get out!” Hannah slammed the door.
Lilly blinked innocently.
She was telling the truth! There really was a ghost.
Perhaps slamming the door in her face hadn’t been enough; she opened the door once more to smash a glass cup.
Bettany coldly ushered, “Come, Lilly. Don’t bother with her.”
She stank of a pampered brat.
Lilly had no choice but to return to her room with her rabbit toy in hand. “Good night, Grandma!”
Bettany nodded. “Good night.”
Lilly was such a good girl… One worried others with her unruliness, and the other was so well-behaved.
How could she possibly choose one or the other when they were both precious to her? That sentiment fueled her hope to see Hannah better.
Bettany sighed. “Was I too strict with her?”
Lilly hesitated for a moment, then stood on her toes and patted the elder woman’s head.
“Don’t worry, Granny. Everything will get better!”
Her childish voice and serious expression were an attempt at play-acting an adult.
Bettany couldn’t help but laugh as her turbulent emotions calmed.
**
Back in Lilly’s room.
Pablo Belmont started, “Come, Tulip, I’ll teach you about spells. You know spells, don’t you? The kind where you can throw out a fireball?”
Lilly looked skeptical. “I’m a kid, master. You shouldn’t lie to a kid.”
How can a human being possibly throw out fireballs?
She was three, nearly four, and already knew plenty!
