The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 323

Leilani supported Yvonne as they slowly followed him. The night breeze

rushed past them. Yvonne looked at the tall figure of the man ahead,

hen at the gentle and steady Leilani beside her. A warmth spread hrough her heart.

Callahan dropped them off at the Skyline Residences. Leilani, worried hat Callahan’s presence might make Yvonne uncomfortable, suggested he head up first.

Just as Leilani and Yvonne were about to enter the elevator, Yvonne’s >hone suddenly rang. The screen flashed the word “Mom.”

(vonne froze. She bit her lip, looked at Leilani, hesitated for a moment,

and then pressed answer.

Yvonne! Where are you? Are you safe?”

On the other end, Gloria’s voice was a mix of urgency and anger.

Do you have any idea how worried I am?”

(vonne gripped the phone tight, her voice stubborn. “I’m outside. I’m safe.”

t was getting dark. Yvonne was a defenseless young woman out on her >wn. Who knew what could happen? Thinking of all the terrible stories on he news, Gloria’s tone hardened. “What are you doing out there? Don’t you know how dangerous it is? Come home right now!”

Gloria’s forceful tone made Yvonne’s eyes turn red reflexively. “I’m not coming back! Tamara is still in that house. Why should I go back? To ook at her fake face?”

There was a brief silence on the other end before Gloria’s voice softened. ‘Yvonne, I know you’re upset, but nothing has been proven yet. You can’t just run away like this…”

“Not proven?” Yvonne laughed coldly. “Mom, are you blind or just pretending to be? You’re still protecting her?”

Gloria was at a loss for words. After a long pause, she said, “Your father said he would handle it…”

“Handle it?” Yvonne’s voice choked up. “His idea of ‘handling it’ is making me swallow my anger and pretend to be a happy family with Tamara?”

She took a deep breath and enunciated every word. “Mom, if you insist on keeping Tamara in that house, I will never step foot in the Sherwood estate again!”

Yvonne and Gloria argued fiercely over the phone. In the background on Gloria’s end, Milford’s voice could be faintly heard.

“Mom, let me talk to her.”

The phone was passed over. A second later, Milford’s deep voice came through.

‘Yvonne, where are you? Who are you with? Are you safe?”

Yvonne glanced at Leilani beside her and mumbled, “I’m with Leilani. I’m

safe.”

Hearing that Yvonne wasn’t alone on the streets but with Leilani, Milford visibly relaxed.

‘That’s good. Yvonne, I know you felt wronged today, but we really can’t rest easy knowing you’re out there. Can you come home so we can talk this over? Send me your location. I’ll come pick you up right now.”

Yvonne pressed her lips together and didn’t answer. She didn’t want Milford to know her exact location. Who knew if he would turn around and tell their mom and dad?

When she remained silent, Milford sighed. “Yvonne, don’t be stubborn. You just recovered. Mom and I are worried about you.”

Yvonne scoffed. “Now you’re worried about me? Why didn’t you stand up

and say a word for me at the wedding earlier?”

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