She trembled in my arms, her small fingers clutching the front of my shirt as she looked toward Reginald.
"Uncle Reggie, do you think it's my fault too?"
Reginald was quiet for a moment, then sighed.
"No matter what happened, hitting someone is still wrong."
"You heard him, Moira. Now hurry up and apologize to Tyler."
"Why should she apologize?"
I pulled my daughter closer, firing back immediately.
"Wasn't he the one who started it by calling her names?"
"Calling her a bastard and her mother trash — he deserved to get hit!"
At that, Fiona pinched the little boy hard.
Tyler burst into wailing sobs, and Fiona's own eyes reddened on cue.
"Tyler's parents are overseas all year round. I've been the one raising him since he was little. Even a scraped knee breaks my heart."
She pulled up the boy's sleeve, shoving a ghastly purple bruise right under Reginald's nose.
"Now he's been beaten like this, and I can't even get a basic apology for him. How can I face him when he calls me Auntie?"
Reginald didn't hesitate any longer. He turned to the teacher.
"If Moira refuses to apologize, we're requesting that this be handled formally."
"If a student can assault another child and face zero consequences, every other kid in this school will think that's acceptable."
I stared at him in disbelief. "Are you threatening me?"
Reginald couldn't meet my eyes. His voice softened.
"Hailey, you were nearly detained today for hitting someone. Do you really want Moira following in those footsteps?"
"It's just an apology. I promise no one will say those things to her again."
Moira lifted her head from my arms. Her voice was small, but every word was clear.
"Mommy, if I say sorry, will they stop making things hard for you?"
My eyes burned. I swallowed the ache in my throat and stroked her hair.
"You don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Go wait for me outside, okay? Mommy will come get you soon."
I walked her to the door and closed it behind her.
She must have sensed what I was about to do. Her fists pounded against the door, and she started crying, calling for me.
The bridge of my nose stung. My throat clenched so tight it hurt.
I was stubborn by nature. Proud my whole life. I had never once bowed my head or backed down.