She could slander me all she wanted, but she had no right to insult my mother.
The napkin left a red mark on her, and she immediately looked up at Hank with teary, wounded eyes. As expected, he rushed over to her, lifting her arm in concern.
Seeing her pitiful expression, he glared at me, pointing his finger with unrestrained fury.
“Pearl, you’ve disappointed me beyond words! Even if what Susie said was untrue, you had no right to lay a hand on her!”
His accusations came rapid-fire. “You should know better th—”
I cut him off sharply, my voice cold. “So you know she’s lying.”
His face froze, caught in his own words, but it quickly shifted back to self-righteous indignation as he pointed at me again.
“Yes, I saw it too that day. But even so, you’re still wrong to hit her! Apologize to Susie now, or we’re getting divorced!”
A chill ran through my body, spreading like ice. I stared at him in disbelief, still holding on to a shred of hope, a final attempt to salvage what little remained between us.
“Hank,” I said, my voice low but steady, “I’ve scheduled an abortion. Will you go with me tomorrow?”
He scoffed, the sound dripping with mockery, as if I had just told a ridiculous joke.
