“I didn’t tell her to do that!” I cried. “I don’t even know where that came from!”
I forced myself to sit up, my mind racing. ‘I kept the phone in my pocket all day. No one could’ve touched it! How—’
Just then, Tyson hit me again. Harder this time.
“I never expected you to be so cruel, Sadie! You forced your own daughter to do something like this?!” Tyson shouted. “You don’t even deserve to be a mother! You—You’re a monster!”
His slap left my ears ringing and my vision blurred. I turned my head just in time to meet my daughter’s eyes.
She looked pale from the pain, but there was a flicker of guilt barely hidden in her gaze.
‘It’s her!’ I realized.
I rushed over and grabbed her shoulders, demanding answers. “Niah, why did you lie and hurt Mommy?” I was almost crying. “I’ve always treated you well—why would you do this to me?!”
Terrified, my daughter broke down in tears and shrank away.
That only enraged her father further; Tyson raised his foot and kicked me again and again.
“Bitch! How dare you even ask that? You better pray your daughter’s okay!” He paused, and when he spoke, his voice came out threatening. “Or else—I’ll kill you!”