Lilly looked around the garden and shouted, "Polly!"
A loud squawk was heard, followed by the flight of a colorful parrot out of the woods. However, after flying one round around Lilly, it quickly flew back into the trees.
"Polly is scared of you, Uncle Gilbert," the little girl whispered, motioning for Gilbert to remain silent. Her large watery eyes and endearing actions made her look adorable. He looked at the garden and suggested, "Lilly, why don't I send someone to catch Polly so we can bring it home?"
She frowned and shook her head. "No." As though worried that the parrot was eavesdropping, she checked her surroundings, she added, "We can't catch Polly because it will be scared. It's a good bird."
Even though Lilly's rationale amused Gilbert, he nodded and agreed to her plan.
"Don't move, Uncle Gilbert," the little girl tapped on his shoulder and instructed. She then walked into the garden and called for Polly once more.
"A Dumb Dumb! A Dumb! Dumb!" Polly sat on the tree branch and chirped.
Lilly chided, "Uncle Gilbert isn't a Dumb Dumb, Polly."
"A Bad Dog! A Bad Dog!" Polly chirped once more.
"Uncle Gilbert isn't a Bad Dog," the little girl explained. Gilbert was speechless at the incredulous conversation.
Regardless of Lilly's assurance, Polly refused to get off the tree branch. She found herself walking deeper into the garden. Suddenly, she heard a sound. When she turned to look at the source of the noise, she noticed a pair of familiar eyes staring back at her. When Lilly was about to flee, Debbie grabbed her arm and said, "You are finally here, Lilly."
The woman covered Lilly's mouth to muffle her cries. "Aren't you happy to see me, Lilly?"
Debbie did not know that Gilbert was in the garden. She pinched the little girl's face and said with a look of menace, "I don't like that attitude of yours, Lilly. I'm still your mother, you know?"
The little girl struggled to break free from Debbie's clutches. Debbie thought furiously, since when is the little brat so strong?
"You killed my baby, Lilly. Why are you treating me like this when I'm still willing to care for you?" Debbie hissed. She looked different from when she hit Lilly in the past.
Seeing that Lilly shook her head anxiously, Debbie continued, "You said you didn't push me. But why would I fall if it weren't for your sudden appearance? You should be responsible for my baby's death. I'm in a miserable state. If your uncles asked about the incident, you need to say that you pushed me down the stairs. Do you understand?"
Debbie tried to coax the little girl, thinking it would be effortless to force her to follow instructions. However, Lilly bit her lip and remained silent. She refused to admit to a mistake that she did not commit.
Debbie scowled as she thought, Lilly is testing my patience. She's such a useless brat who refuses to listen. This is so frustrating!
She threatened, "You're a disobedient child, Lilly. If you continue to act so stubbornly, I'll hit you."
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