Jocelyn’s expression was steely as she came up to me. "I thought you’d gotten over this jealousy and matured. But here you are, making a fuss. Jeremy just found a new place for Cathy—why are you making such a big deal out of it? You’re actually hitting someone! Apologize to Jeremy right now!"

Jocelyn’s defense of Jeremy and her insistence that I should apologize for confronting the people who desecrated my daughter’s grave was infuriating.

Overcome with rage, I struggled against the bodyguards’ hold, but their grip was unshakeable. All I could do was shout at Jocelyn, "You’re going to regret this!"

Jeremy, looking annoyed, added, "You always went on about how great your life was and how you married a stand-up guy. I thought you were genuinely happy. But it turns out the ‘great guy’ you bragged about is just a lunatic. If this gets out, it’s going to wreck your reputation and the company’s!"

Jeremy's anger was off the charts after that punch, and now he was clearly trying to drive a wedge between me and Jocelyn.

Jocelyn's face showed a flash of discomfort, but she quickly turned to me, her voice tight.

"Can’t you just stay out of this and be a good stay-at-home dad? Why do you have to come here and make a scene? Go home and take care of Iris. Don’t leave her alone like this. Understand?"

I stared at Jocelyn, barely containing my rage. "So now you care about Iris?"

Jocelyn’s expression hardened. "Of course, I care! Iris is my daughter too. I went through nine months of pregnancy and everything else to bring her into this world. Everything I do is for her. I want her to be proud of me as her mom."

Seeing her try to brush off my anger, I snapped, "Cut the crap! If you really cared, you wouldn’t have left her alone just to be with Jeremy. She’s only five! Did you even think about how terrified and alone she must have felt?"

"Seriously, enough!" Jocelyn shot back, clearly frustrated. "How long are you going to drag this out? Why are you being so petty about it?"

Jocelyn lost her patience and snapped, "Apologize to Jeremy and then get out of here. You’re just making things worse!"

Jeremy, glaring with rage, said, "Forget about the apology. I want him to pay for hitting me!"

He then delivered two hard punches to my stomach.

The blows were full of anger and force, leaving me crumpled on the ground.