“Calista, how could you do this? No wonder when Iris mentioned her stomach hurting this morning, you handed her a pregnancy test. After she found out she was pregnant, you calmly made her chicken soup to 'nourish the baby.' So it turns out you’re the mastermind behind all this! Tell me—why would you do something like this?”
Velvet’s disappointment was palpable as she turned her gaze on me, saying,
“Sister-in-law, did we do something to upset you? What’s going on?”
“If you’re bothered, just tell us. This is an adult issue; don’t take it out on the child. Why would you ruin her life like this?”
Seeing their anxious and worried faces, I couldn’t help but find their concern absurd.
But before I could respond, my daughter, who had been quietly observing, suddenly stood up.
She positioned herself protectively in front of me, facing Portia and sister-in-law without flinching.
“Grandma, Aunt, this is all my fault. If you have something to say, direct it at me!”
“Don’t be mean to Mom!”
Velvet and mother-in-law exchanged concerned glances at their daughter, then turned to me with reproach.
“Look at what you've done.”
“Iris is still protecting you!”