The two of them exchanged sweet whispers, their words laced with affection. I thought I would be burning with rage, but instead, I felt nothing. My heart was as still as a stagnant pond.
After dropping Aurelia off at kindergarten, I headed to the office.
But all day, my eye twitched. Restlessness gnawed at me, unease wrapping around my chest like a vice.
Then the phone call came to the hospital. My heart plunged. Aurelia had been scalded by hot water.
I rushed to the hospital, only to find Aurelia’s legs wrapped in bandages, the burns extensive.
It felt as if the ground had disappeared beneath me. The fear that coursed through me was so sharp it cut into my chest and I cried out in agony.
She had been fine when I left in the morning. How could this have happened?
My hands shook as I reached for her, but I pulled back, terrified of causing her more pain.
Tears blurred my vision and my fists clenched.
I needed to know the truth.
I checked the security footage at home.
Aurelia had returned from school at 4:30 p.m. What happened in those few hours that led to her burns?
When I saw the footage, I was overwhelmed by a rage I’d never known before.