Chapter 228

As a mother, she’d developed a preternatural sense for danger, along with the quick reflexes to respond to it. Quick as a whip, she caught hold of Lilith’s hand and yanked her out of the way. Hot water spilled over the edge of the stovetop. Willow held out her arm to ward her children away from the hazard. With her four precious angels safely arrayed before her, the anguish in her heart finally broke free, and a solitary tear fell to the floor. Her young children gaped at her cluelessly, not fully understanding what had just happened. It was the perfect moment to teach them a vital lesson: “The most dangerous part of this whole process is that you might scald yourself with the hot water, which would leave you permanently disfigured. That’s why, when you’re doing this yourselves, you have to fetch a chair to stand on, so that you can easily get the kettle from the stove.” “I understand, Mommy. From now on, I’ll fill the milk bottles for the others.” That was Tristan, responsib