11
Mrs. Foster said that during the time I was away, Lucas had been doing very poorly.
He was used to my care, and no one else could manage him. Even the tiniest things could trigger an episode.
Even when Mrs. Foster personally stepped in, she couldn’t control him.
“I’m sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have been so harsh on you. As long as you come back, I won’t force you to have children anymore. You and Lucas can live however you want, I absolutely won’t interfere!” she pleaded.
It was clear that Mrs. Foster was sincerely remorseful.
But I had already tasted the sweetness of freedom.
How could I be willing to return to that cage?
I told Mrs. Foster that my mind was made up.
Even if it cost the entire Thompson family, I would divorce Lucas.
Her face grew even more grim.
In fact, during the time I had run away, she had tried some business tactics to pressure Uncle Jack into sending me back.
But Uncle Jack had gritted his teeth and withstood all the pressure.
Even though they had lost a lot of money, they had no intention of giving in.
Mrs. Foster was a shrewd businesswoman. For the sake of a woman who no longer cared about her son, it wasn’t a profitable deal to end up in
a lose–lose situation with the Thompsons.
“Fine, forced marriages never work out anyway. I can agree to your divorce,” she conceded.
“But you need to go back and take care of Lucas for another month, until his condition stabilizes a bit. Then you can leave.
I thought about it. Applying to schools would take some time anyway.
Just one month, it wasn’t a big deal.
10:56 AM
<
Seeing me return, Lucas looked a bit hurt and turned his head away, refusing to look at me.
I took out the gift I had prepared for him, a new set of paintbrushes.
But he told me he hadn’t painted for many days and didn’t plan to paint anymore in the future.
“It’s boring,” he said.
I found it strange. If painting was boring, what did he find interesting?
Mrs. Foster had hired a new caretaker from a nursing center.
She was experienced but was at a loss with Lucas.
I decided to use this month to properly train her.
If Lucas was willing to accept her, it would make my departure smoother.
