Calling Anya his mother made Joey extremely ufortable.


    However, Anya was delighted that Joey finally came to his senses and was not that scared of her anymore. She showed a more sincere smile and said, "Of course, my boy. But, before Mommy lets you out of the cage, you have to answer some questions. If you answer them well, Mommy will let you out immediately. Deal?"


    "Deal," replied Joey with a nod.


    Anya grinned and asked, "First, sweetie: How was your life with the Holdens?"


    Joey thought for a while and answered, "Umm... Not bad..."


    Anya did not like what she heard. "What do you mean, not bad? Be more specific!"


    Joey observed Anya''s reaction and grasped an idea of what answer would please her, so he answered, "Not bad... As in so-so... I was given food and clothes, but they still favored Daddy''s biological children more. I''m different from them, so I never get what they have."


    Joey knew those were all lies. He had a great life with the Holdens, and Corinne treated him and his siblings equally.


    Luckily, Anya bought his lies. It was exactly what she wanted to hear. She looked at him sympathetically and said, "My poor boy. You must''ve endured so much hardship just because you''re an adopted son! Bu you don''t have to go through that anymore now that Mommy''s back! You''re going to stay with Mommy. We''ll be together forever, okay?"


    "Okay," answered Joey uneasily. It took a lot out of him to go against his conscience.


    ''Mommy said that we must learn to endure, so I''ll obey this scarydy as much as possible until I can see Mommy again. Yes, I''ll do just that!'' thought Joey to himself.


    "That''s my good boy! Mommy knew Joey would never betray Mommy!" Anya stroked Joey''s head, satisfied.


    Joey pouted and said, "Mommy, can you let me out now? It''s so cold here. I''m scared..."


    "Oh, don''t be scared, sweetie! Mommy''s right here with you! And Mommy still has a few questions for you."Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    "Okay... What are they?"


    "Tell me, Joey." Anya grinned evilly as she asked, "When Mommy was absent these years, did that b*tch Corinne get along with your daddy?"


    Joey, who knew what answer she was expecting, shook his head and answered, "No."


    "Is that so?" Anya''s eyes lit up. "So how was it when they were together? Did they quarrel a lot? Have they gotten tired of each other?"


    Joey did not know the answers for sure, let alone make up fake answers. After all, Jeremy had not been staying with them for years. He had just returned to them for only two days.


    However, Joey assumed that Anya was not aware of that, so he said, "Um... They quarreled a lot...and got tired of each other. They''re always busy with their own work, so they seldom talk to each other." Joey''s answer made Anyaugh.


    Just as Joey thought he managed to fool Anya, she suddenly turned fierce and grabbed his hair brutally.


    "You little liar! Corinne taught you how to lie, didn''t she? You think you could fool me that easily? I knew you weren''t being honest! That darn b*tch has ruined my child! Look at how bad you''ve be! You''ve learned to lie to your own mother!"