Chapter 7

"A hundred times?" Cecily shot to her feet, her gaze locking onto Rose with deadly intent. "He's ten years old!"

"One must endure bitterness to succeed," Rose stated. "If he cannot handle this small hardship, how will he ever amount to anything?"

She remained calm.

"Succeed?" Cecily echoed, pulling Ethan behind her protectively.

"You call torturing a child amounting to anything?"

"Insolence! How I choose to discipline my grandson is none of your concern!"

"Today, it is my concern. Ethan, we're going," Cecily said.

She scooped him into her arms and turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" Rose commanded. "You…