Page 74 of Illicit Heir

I firmly assert, "No, I'm working tonight. Go home. Ya look tired, Mum."

"I'm not," she claims.

"Mum, I have it covered. Go home."

She tilts her head, peering at me closer. "Why are ya trying so hard to get rid of me, Lauren?"

"I just want ya to rest tonight," I lie.

"I'm not buying that. What's really going on? You're hiding something."

I insist, "I'm not hiding anything, Mum. Ya look exhausted. I have it covered. Go home. Get some rest. Tomorrow ya can give me a night off."

She arches her eyebrows. "You're going to take a night off?"

My chest tightens. I force a smile. "Yea, I am, but only if ya go home and rest up tonight so ya can cover for me tomorrow."

She narrows her eyes, and I do everything I can not to shift on my feet or look guilty.

"Ya don't want me to take a night off?" I accuse, knowing that she does. She's always telling me to, but I never do. I don't like the thought of her here working her butt off while I'm out having a good time.

She inquires, "What are ya going to do if ya take a night off?"

I think quickly on my feet. "I'm just going to go to a movie."

She wrinkles her nose. "Since when do ya go to movies?"

"Never. That's why I'm going to go to one," I state.

"But why would ya suddenly want to go to the movie theater?" she pushes.

I lie, "I'm trying to expand my horizons."

"By going to the movie theater?"

I shrug. "It's something new. But it sounds like ya don't want me to take tomorrow night off. So I guess I won't," I declare and step past her.

She grabs my arm. "All right. I'll take tonight off and leave a little bit later."

"No, ya can leave now, or I'm not taking tomorrow night off," I assert.

She stares at me harder. "Are ya sure nothing else is going on?"

I sigh, claiming, "Yea, Mum. I just want to take tomorrow night off. But if ya don't go home now and get some rest, I'll feel bad and end up working."

A quick moment passes, and she finally nods and hugs me. "Okay, sweetheart. I'm glad you're finally going to take a night off. Ya work too hard in this place." Then she leans back and stares at me again, but sadness has replaced the suspicion.

"What?" I question, suddenly more anxious.

"I wish I could have given you a different life. And that's why ya need to marry Caleb. Ya could have the whole world at your fingertips."

Rage fills me. "Mum, we're not talking about this right now. Go home and text me when ya get there so I know you're safe."

"Why would I not be safe?" she questions.

"You're my mum. I worry about ya."

She declares, "I'm the parent. I should worry about ya. Ya shouldn't be worrying about me."

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