Then, fueled by fury, I kicked him in the stomach. He doubled over, clutching his belly, and started crying.
When I’d fallen, no one had moved to help me. Not one of them.
But now? Now they swarmed me like vultures, their outrage palpable.
“How could you do that? He’s just a child!”
“Exactly! Did you really have to hit the kid that hard? You’re heartless!”
“You didn’t give birth to him, so you don’t care, huh? Look at what you’ve done to poor Ryan. Let me tell you—siblings or not, debts need to be settled. You’re going to pay for his medical expenses!”
Cindy was the loudest, her face twisted with outrage as she stepped closer, her voice rising. It was as if she wanted to rip me apart with her bare hands.
That was it. That was my breaking point.
“Medical expenses?” I said, my voice cold and trembling with fury. “Fine. Let’s call the police right now and see how they handle your son’s deliberate assault on me!”
Enraged, I pulled out my phone, my hands trembling.
...
As I thought back to that moment, I prepared to press the call. Right then, Cindy’s panic hit a new level.
“Are you seriously calling the police? Come on, Elaine, don’t overreact! This isn’t worth it!”