My mom looked toward my room, her eyes anxious and helpless. Amid the noise and stares, I opened my door and stepped out. Everyone’s eyes immediately turned to me.
Virginia and Madison’s eyes were sharp, full of smugness and provocation. My cousin held his head high and my older cousin sneered in disdain.
The other relatives held their breath, expecting me to bow and admit defeat. I walked to the center of the living room, looking over their red, upset faces.
Calmly, I took my phone from my pocket, swiped a few times and found a contact. I looked up and spoke calmly.
“Aunt Virginia, Aunt Madison,” I paused, “I’m asking one last time. Do you really want me to apologize here in public?”
Virginia, angry at my attitude, spoke even more sharply. “Nonsense! Of course, you must apologize! Weren’t you so capable last time, so good at investigating? Now the truth is out! What do you say?”
Madison’s tone was just as harsh. “What? You’re scared? In front of all these relatives and neighbors, take back the lies you spread last time! You must apologize today, whether you like it or not!”
“Yes! You must apologize!”
“Come on, don’t waste time!”
“The evidence is right here; still going to deny it?”