My mom returned just in time for dinner—

"Alice, I'm sorry, something came up suddenly."

She looked particularly anxious and guilty, as if she had done something she was afraid of being discovered.

I forced a smile and told her it was okay.

"Can I be discharged in a week?"

"Yes..."

"After I go home, can you send Nancy away?"

I asked my mom.

She was taken aback and took a long time to respond. "Nancy has always been well-behaved; I can't…"

I see.

If she doesn’t leave, then I’m the one who will.

Once I made up my mind, Luke came to see me with flowers.

I thought he...