Once, this had been their routine. George would show up with the latest treats and gifts. He would say they were for her. However, ever since Amanda entered the picture, those gestures had stopped. He even stopped picking her up.
When he finally did, he just took a quick look at her and turned his face away.
"Get in the car," George said. "I'll take you to the art unit."
Kelly frowned in confusion. "Why are we going to the art troupe?"
George's brow furrowed tightly. "Well, you've pushed Amanda yesterday and today you've stained her performance dress. Kelly, don’t you think you owe her an apology?"
His accusation left Kelly stunned. "I didn’t push her, nor did I stain her dress. Don’t you dare frame me!"
She spun on her heel to leave, but George leaped out of the car and grabbed her arm roughly. That’s when he noticed the dark bruises marring her delicate wrist.
He froze, his gaze fixed on her injury. "What happened to your hand?"
Kelly's nose went red with the threat of tears, but she forced her voice to stay calm. "You already know, don’t you?"
An inexplicable sense of emotion shot through George's chest. He struggled to shake it off, his eyes narrowing into icy slits. "You're becoming even more skilled in doing underhanded tactics. Are you hurting yourself now just to frame Amanda?"
His words sliced through her like a blade. Kelly's voice trembled with pain and indignation. "George, after all these years, is that the kind of person you think I am?"
George pinched the bridge of his nose and his tone softened slightly. "Kelly, it’s just an apology. It’s not that hard."
The disappointment in her gaze burned more than her words ever could. She turned and walked away, a lone tear escaping down her cheek.
By the time Kelly reached the military compound, George was already there. He tossed a pain-streaked onto the ground in front of her.
Kelly stared at the garment with a puzzled expression.
"You ruined Amanda's performance dress," George said coldly. "She couldn’t go onstage because of you. If you clean it and we’ll call it even."
The white dress was streaked with vibrant colors. It was unmistakable that someone had done it on purpose. However, she wasn’t the culprit.
Kelly's voice turned cold and said, "I didn't do it. I'm not washing it!"
George’s jaw tightened. "I must’ve spoiled you too much if you can’t even tell right from wrong!"