Lillie froze, unable to believe what she was hearing.

She stood there, stunned, until Joselyn waved a hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her daze.

"Be good, Lillie. Go back for now, alright?" Joselyn's voice remained gentle, but at that moment, it felt like a merciless blade piercing Lillie's heart.

"Mom, you want to stay here?" she finally found her voice.

"You're choosing him over me? Why would you want to get back with him? What's so good about him, he... "

"Enough!" Joselyn's face turned stern as she stared directly at her daughter. "It seems I need to extend your stay. My daughter should know better than to behave like this."

Lillie was stunned again, feeling a chill run down her spine, leaving her heart aching.

"You've changed, Mom. You've changed for these people...

Lillie wiped her tears fiercely and dashed out the door.

Joselyn sighed in frustration, "I'm sorry, everyone. I should have guided her better."

Lillie left the Morris family with nowhere to go. After much thought, she went to find Melvin.

He was her only solace now.

She explained everything she had seen and heard to Melvin, who was also surprised. "Lillie, are you sure your mom is with that man?"

Lillie cried, "I'm not sure, but she chose him over me."

Melvin stood silently for a long time before calling Joselyn to arrange a meeting.

The next morning, they met at a café near the Morris family estate.

Melvin got straight to the point, "Joselyn, we've stayed here too long. There are things in Kuskeonga that need our attention.

When would be a good time for you to wrap things up here so we can head back together?"

Joselyn was caught off guard by his suggestion and hesitated before responding, "I still have some matters to attend to here.

If you're busy, you can take Lillie back first. She's been very emotional lately. I enrolled her in a behavioral therapy class, but it's been hard to manage her, and it's really stressing me out."

"Aren't you the one who's hard to handle?"Melvin's voice turned slightly cold as he spoke deliberately, “Lillie is just a child -a child used to having her mother around. Of course, losing you suddenly would make her unwilling. Have you really thought about her during this time? Have you considered changing the situation? Lillie may not be your biological daughter, but you raised her with love and care."

Joselyn was taken aback, her expression complex, and she remained silent for a while.

"Joselyn, please, don't be like this. Come with us. This place isn't for you or me." Melvin reached out, trying to take her wrist.

But Joselyn pulled her hand away. "Melvin, I've already told you, I have things to do here and can't leave with you now."