Chapter 4 Bunny Is Missing

• Willa's son's nickname was Bunny. The boy was almost five years old. He was lively, adorable, and mischievous—the most fitting descriptions she could give her son.
• Of course, her son was very considerate, too. He often protected and cared for her, like a little man.
• At the same time, the boy was very sensitive. If she didn't come home for two days without contacting him, he felt abandoned and started playing the runaway game.
• Due to Willa's work, she couldn't be home for a few days. Worried that the nanny couldn't handle him, she had no choice but to entrust him to her best friend, Rosa Bates.
• Because Rosa was Bunny's godmother, she thought it wouldn't be too difficult.
• Willa often believed that Bunny's sensitive and suspicious nature was a result of her job, which frequently kept her away.
• On the phone, she gently comforted the crying Rosa and asked, "Rosa, what did Bunny do this time? Did he break your flower pot or ruin your computer? Or did he splash ink on your new clothes?
• "Why are you crying? You're an adult in your twenties. Isn't it embarrassing to cry like this? Aren't you afraid your godson will laugh at you?
• "Alright, alright, don't be sad. I apologize on behalf of my mischievous boy.
• "Whatever he broke, I'll compensate you double, okay?"
• Willa was also frustrated by Bunny's mischief and destructive behavior. Although he was punished severely at times, it had little effect.
• After a moment of hesitation, Rosa asked in a voice choked with emotion, "Lil, where are you now? Is your surgery over?"
• "Yes, I just finished. I'm exhausted and about to head home," Willa said as she stepped out of the elevator and entered the underground parking lot. She unlocked her car and got into the driver's seat.
• "I'm waiting for you at your place. There's something I can't explain over the phone. It's better to talk in person." Rosa sounded nervous and less confident than usual.
• Rosa feared that if she told Willa over the phone that Bunny was missing, Willa might become too emotional and distracted while driving, jeopardizing her safety. She decided to wait until Willa got home to break the news.
• "Alright, I miss Bunny so much. I haven't seen him in three days. He must be throwing a fit. Wait for me at home; I'll be there in ten minutes," Willa said. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Bunny, but she did not notice Rosa's unusual tone.
• Fifteen minutes later, Willa opened the door and walked in. Hearing the door open, Rosa rushed to her, kneeling and hugging Willa's legs.
• "Lil, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. You can hit me and scold me, but please don't ignore me. I love you and Bunny so much. I can't lose you two."
• "Rosa, what are you doing? Get up!" Willa spoke, puzzled. She bent down to help her up and teased, "I was only at the hospital for three days, and you miss me this much? I'm flattered."
• Rosa clung to her legs, refusing to let go or stand up. She pleaded, "No, Lil, promise me you won't ignore me no matter what happens. Don't leave me."
• "Alright, alright. I promise. Now get up. I'm very tired and don't have the energy to deal with this. Where's Bunny? I'll make him apologize to you." Willa said it with a hint of helplessness.
• Whenever she asked Rosa to take care of Bunny for more than two days, she would come back to find Rosa in such a state. Nothing has changed over the past five years.
• Based on the situation, Willa guessed her son must have upset Rosa again, which caused her best friend to get so emotional and at a loss.
• When Willa asked about Bunny, Rosa finally let go of her legs. She stood in a corner of the room, head down, nervously twisting her clothes like a child awaiting punishment.
• Willa's legs were finally free. She changed into her slippers and called out, "Bunny, Mommy's home! What did you do to upset your godmother? Come here and apologize."
• ...
• No response.
• After changing into her slippers, Willa walked into the living room and found it empty.
• She went upstairs, calling out as she climbed the stairs. "Bunny, Mommy's home. Aren't you coming to say hi to me? Aren't you worried that I'll cry like your godmother? Come out now."
• She made it to the second floor and opened the door to the children's room, but it was empty.
• Willa checked the master bedroom, the bathroom, and the study but found no one.
• A sense of dread filled her. Suddenly, she had a bad feeling about it. She quickly went back downstairs and saw Rosa still standing in the corner, motionless. Willa had a feeling her son had run away again.
• "Where is Bunny? Where did he go this time?"
• "Lil, I need you to stay calm. Don't faint," Rosa said, trying to prepare her for the worst. She was concerned that her friend might become overly emotional and lose control due to the problem she was about to reveal.
• Willa started to grow anxious and urged, "Just tell me!"
• "Bunny returned to Aspary. He left this note," Rosa said. Her hands were shaking as she handed over a crumpled piece of paper.
• Willa took the note with trembling hands and read the scrawled message.
• "Mommy, Godmother, I've returned to Aspary. If I don't see you within 24 hours, I'll call the police and report you for abandoning me! Of course, I'll sue that scumbag too."
• It was Bunny's handwriting. He didn't know how to write some words, so he misspelled them. He had also drawn a cartoon character carrying a backpack and walking aimlessly down a street with his hair blowing in the wind.
• Ever since watching that cartoon, Bunny has become fond of drawing its main character, Sloan, expressing his emotions through these drawings.
• From the note, Willa concluded that Bunny felt abandoned and unloved, so he decided to run away to the place that had caused her so much pain.
• If it hadn't been for her son, Willa might have died in Aspary six years ago, on that rainy night, and in that tragic marriage.
• She shook her head to clear her mind and asked Rosa, "Bunny said he felt abandoned. Didn't I ask you to take good care of him? Aren't you with him?"
• "I only went out for two hours yesterday, leaving him at home. When I came back, he was gone, leaving only this note," Rosa said. Her voice was growing softer, and she couldn't bring herself to meet Willa's gaze.
• "Bunny is a sensitive child. You shouldn't have left him alone. It makes him feel unwanted and abandoned."
• Willa took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She didn't want to scold Rosa. Thinking about Bunny returning to Aspary, where that despicable person also lived, made her anxious. She worried the two would walk into each other. With that, she hurriedly went upstairs.
• Rosa noticed Willa's worried expression, fearing that something might happen to her. Therefore, she followed Willa and attempted to explain the situation.
• "I thought it would be fine. Besides, you know how Bunny is. If I took him along on a date, he would cause trouble, telling people he's my son. No one would be interested in getting to know me if they saw a young woman with a son that age.