"Didn't you use your grandmother to force Kenny into marrying you?
"For so many years, you've been using your father's death to blackmail Kenny and his family. You've gotten so many benefits, and you should be satisfied by now!
"Your grandmother, really, using that trick at her age. She's always whining about dying. How annoying."
I trembled with anger. I could tolerate them hurting me, but I couldn't stand them insulting my family.
In a fit of rage, I slapped Serena across the face.
Kenny immediately helped Serena up and then roughly shoved me. I hit the edge of the table and was in too much pain to stand.
"Alyson, if you're angry, take it out on me! Serena's sick. She can't handle this kind of stress!"
I glared at him fiercely. If looks could kill, I would have shattered him into pieces.
"Kenny, you ungrateful bastard. You two will get what's coming to you!"
Kenny froze for a moment as if feeling a pang of regret.
Serena sobbed, but when she looked at me, her eyes were full of malice.
"Alyson, why do you always bring up old things?
"Kenny knew how to swim by then. Even if your father hadn't saved him, he could've swam back on his own. Besides, there were other people there.
"Your family just took advantage of Kenny's wealthy background. Your father must have purposely saved him to make him feel indebted, so you could blackmail him for life!"
Back then, when our family went on a picnic, we happened to run into Kenny and his family.
Kenny, young and brash, insisted on swimming in the reservoir right after learning how.
The water in the reservoir was very cold, and just as he got in, the upstream gates opened, and he was quickly pulled into a whirlpool.
His family and friends stood on the shore, helplessly watching the raging current, all in a panic.
My father, a firefighter, didn't hesitate. He jumped in, fighting to pull the unconscious Kenny to shore. However, my father couldn't make it out himself.
"Do you think so too?"
I stared hard at Kenny.
Kenny turned his head away, saying nothing. His silence was answer enough.
A cold laugh bubbled up inside me.
I never imagined they would twist my father's sacrifice and the shattering of my family into some sort of scheme. I never thought Kenny would think I deserved this!
In a frenzy, I lunged at Kenny, slapping him hard across the face several times.
"Get out!
"Both of you, get the hell out of here!"