“Beatrice, are you sure you’re not mistaken? Yes, Harper isn’t here right now, but every day I tell him where I’m going and who I’m meeting. I’d never do anything like what you’re accusing me of. If you don’t believe me, call him and ask.”
I pulled out my phone, intending to call Harper, thinking she’d realize her mistake and check with him.
I was even ready to forgive her if she just apologized.
But instead of backing down, she got even more aggressive. She kicked my phone across the room, crossed her arms, and sneered at me.
“As if! You think I’m as gullible as my son? Since when does a thief announce they’re stealing before they get caught in the act?
“You’re just a cheating tramp! Look at the way you’re dressed – clearly trying to seduce someone!”
I glanced down at my cotton house dress, completely baffled.
Since when did wearing a knee-length dress at home become “seductive”?
Before I could respond, Beatrice lunged at me again, her hand raised to strike.
This time, I wasn’t caught off guard. There was no way I was letting her hit me again.
Without hesitation, I kicked her hard, sending her flying back with a scream.
“Beatrice, I’ve been patient and explained everything because you’re Harper’s mother. But if you lay a hand on me again, I won’t hold back.”
She sat on the floor, wailing, and the mob she’d brought with her surged forward, looking ready to pounce on me.
But I stood tall, cracking my knuckles with a fierce glare.
“Go ahead! I’ve been training in kickboxing for eight years. Let’s see who wants to be the first to give me some practice!”
They hesitated, clearly intimidated by my stance, but their insults continued.
“Don’t think we’re scared of you! We’re just holding back because you’re a woman. Otherwise, you’d already be begging for mercy!”
“Yeah, you’ve been acting all high and mighty, but today we’ll teach you a lesson, you tramp!”
Their words riled up the crowd even more. Even my usually polite neighbors joined in.
“With someone like you living here, the whole place is cursed. You should move out!”
“That’s right. You dress all fancy, but who knows what kind of person you really are underneath!”
I was fuming, my temples throbbing, ready to snap back when Beatrice suddenly sprang to her feet. She rushed to the dining table, grabbed an expensive porcelain vase, and smashed it to the ground.