“Mommy...” Benny's voice trembled slightly as he attempted to conceal his fear. “Do I have to go for the surgery?”
Roxanne nodded fervently. “Your acute appendicitis will only worsen if you don't, and you'll be in even more pain. I'm worried about you.”
Benny hesitated for several seconds and gradually removed his hand from his stomach. “Mommy, I'm feeling much better. I'm perfectly fine now. Let's not go for the surgery, please?”
Roxanne shook her head at once.
Archie and Benny eyed one another. Their eyes were full of fear and regret.
Archie tugged at the hem of Roxanne's shirt gingerly and said obediently, “Mommy, we're both sorry for lying to you just now. I was the one who asked Benny to pretend to be sick. Please don't bring him for surgery.”
Benny got down from the bed and stood before Roxanne guiltily as well.
Roxanne looked down at Archie and Benny and sighed internally before ruffling their hair. “Have you learned from your mistake?”
They hurriedly nodded.
Roxanne crouched down to their eye level and asked patiently, “Can both of you tell me why you felt the need to lie?”
Archie and Benny exchanged glances again and were at a loss for words.
Roxanne waited silently and didn't pester them for an answer.
“Because... we don't like Mr. Damaris,” Benny admitted apprehensively, then carefully observed Roxanne's expression.
A look of surprise flashed across Roxanne's eyes.
She had assumed the children had pretended to be sick to prevent her from leaving. Little did she know it had nothing to do with that altogether.
This was the second time she'd heard Benny and Archie actively disliking someone.
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