“Melanie, what’s happening over there?!”
My chest felt as if it would burst open as I screamed in panic.
After what felt like an eternity, my daughter’s trembling voice returned.
“Mom, a kid got strangled to death by the bad man.”
“It was Auntie Cassidy’s daughter, Lyra. She said the bad man was crazy, a rapist, and then he suddenly went mad.”
“Mom, Dad is talking to him. He said he wants Lyra…”
“Why doesn’t Dad want me?”
Her innocent, naïve question left me speechless.
Ever since Cassidy’s daughter transferred into the kindergarten, Aidan had changed.
During the kindergarten sports day, he left me and our daughter behind to stay by Cassidy and her child’s side.
When the children at the kindergarten all caught the flu, he even took leave to be with Cassidy and her child.
I had argued with him, demanded answers, yet Aidan always spoke with the same calm tone.
“Cassidy and her daughter are alone in Rockville, with no relatives. It’s my duty to help them.”
Those words haunted me, echoing in my mind. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to stand.
“Melanie, don’t be afraid. Uncle is on his way to save you…” I whispered softly to comfort her.
Just then, the door was flung open.
“It’s her! She’s the one who ruined the negotiation rescue, she’s the reason your children died!”
Cassidy’s best friend pointed straight at me, accusing.
In an instant, several people rushed in, their faces wet with tears.
“Bitch! You murdered my son!”
“Why don’t you go die?!”
“You’ll pay with your life!”
The woman shrieked with rage and kicked me savagely in the stomach.
Behind her, a man stormed in, his eyes filled with venomous hatred.
“I’ll kill you, bitch!”
“Go to hell with my son!”
His palm struck my face with brutal force, slamming me into the wall. Darkness clouded my vision, and I almost fainted.
“What are you doing?!”
“Get them out!”
“Restrain those two immediately!”
Agony coursed through me as officers rushed in, prying them away and clamping handcuffs on their wrists.
I collapsed on the ground, gasping, every breath burning like fire.
“Mom, what’s happening to you?”
“Mom, are the bad people bullying you?”
My daughter’s fragile sobs spilled from the phone, each word piercing my heart.
I clenched my jaw, my mouth filled with the bitter taste of blood.
“Melanie, don’t cry. No one is bullying Mom. Mom doesn’t feel pain.”
“Be careful, sweetheart. Don’t let the bad man find you. Uncle will be there soon…”