Chapter 4

Once Stella caught her breath, her voice shot up an octave. “Claire, if you don't give me an explanation today, don't even think about leaving this village.

"I've lived here for thirty years. One shout from me and the whole village will come out and testify for me. You hit an old woman and a child today. No matter where this goes, you're the one in the wrong!”

Frank set Henry down, stood up, and blocked my way. He was over six feet tall and built like a wall, looming over me with a savage look in his eyes. "Listen up, Claire.

You hit my mom and my son today, so this isn't over. Either you pay about 3.3 million dollars for emotional distress, or you get on your knees and apologize to my mom and my boy. Pick one."

"That's right. Kneel!" Linda planted her hands on her hips beside Frank, looking vicious and smug at the same time. "You're an outsider who married into this family, and you came here acting crazy, hitting old people and kids.

"You think you're the one with a reason to be mad? Either kneel until Mom and my son forgive you, or pay up. About 3.3 million dollars. One cent less and you're not leaving."

Holding Sophie, I slowly looked around.

Stella clutched her head and wailed. Julian stood beside her with a dark face and said nothing. Frank blocked me like a wall, Linda kept shrieking.

And Henry peeked out from behind the adults with a smug look, as if he'd done nothing wrong. Because in his mind, bullying his little cousin had always been allowed, even encouraged.

And David? My husband stood on his mother's side, looking at me as if I were the one who had done something wrong.

I looked down at Sophie in my arms. She was so scared she couldn't even speak. Her little face was deathly pale, her whole body still trembling, and her hands clung to my collar like a frightened little animal.

My heart felt like it was being crushed in someone's fist.

I patted her back gently and whispered, “Don't be scared, Sophie. Mommy's here. Mommy will protect you.”

Then I lifted my head and looked at the people in front of me, a cold smile tugging at my lips, "About 3.3 million dollars? Kneel and apologize?"

My voice was so calm it sounded strange even to me, "Did you people forget what I do for a living?"

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. It rang twice before someone answered. "I'm in Brookside Village, at David's parents' place. Third row in, the easternmost three-story house. Get here, and bring everyone you can."

The reply from the other end was crisp and simple. “Got it.”

After hanging up, I carried Sophie to a stone stool in the yard and started drying her hair with her jacket. She kept shaking, so I took off my own coat, wrapped it around her, and held her tightly in my arms.

When Stella saw me make the call, she froze for a second, then started cursing again. “Calling people, are you? Call whoever you want. It won't help. If you don't give me an explanation today, this isn't over!”

David frowned and walked over. “Who did you call?”

I ignored him.

His expression darkened. “I'm talking to you, Claire.”

I still didn't answer. Lowering my head, I whispered to Sophie, “Be good, sweetheart. Mommy's taking you home soon. We will never come back here again.”

My indifference set David off. He grabbed my wrist. “Who the hell did you call?”