"I knew something was off about the Welch family. It's the holidays and they don't even turn on the lights."
"That girl's so sick, and they still make her do housework."
"Didn't Derek sell a kidney to save his wife? Why's she being treated like this?"
Derek rushed out. When he saw the scene, his face turned green.
His "devoted husband" image was his only asset at work. If word got out that he abused his sick wife, he'd be finished.
"It's all a misunderstanding!" He forced a smile. "My mom didn't mean it!"
"A misunderstanding?" Mrs. Lambert sneered. "Then explain the slop on the floor."
Derek's face cycled through blue and white.
He spun around and, in front of everyone, slapped his mother across the face.
"Mom! How could you treat Lexi like this!"
The crack echoed through the hallway.
His mother clutched her cheek, staring at him in disbelief.
"You… you hit me?"
"Lexi's health is fragile—how could you feed her garbage!"
Derek's voice was harsh. "Never again!"
She collapsed to the floor, thrashing and wailing.
"I raised you for thirty years, and you hit me for some woman!"
"I won't live anymore!"
Once they'd gotten their fill of the show, the neighbors dispersed.