Chapter 120
The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the corridor.
Sharon hadn’t seen it coming. The blow landed squarely on her cheek, loud and heavy.
Madeline hadn’t held back. In an instant, Sharon’s face flushed red and began to swell.
Matty cried out, startled. “Sharon!”
Carter stepped forward, his voice low and tight. “Mom, what are you doing?”
Denise rushed over too. “Mom, calm down! This might be a misunderstanding!”
Only Kelly stood off to the side, the corners of her mouth curling into a small, satisfied smile, as if watching a show unfold.
Madeline stood tall and furious, her voice sharp and slicing. “What misunderstanding could there possibly be? She’s the one who’s always with Theo. If he ended up in the hospital, it’s her fault! Sharon, I’m telling you now-if anything happens to my grandson, I won’t let you off the hook, you wretched woman!”
Sharon stood there, disheveled from rushing to the hospital. She hadn’t had time to clean up. Her head was lowered, long hair falling across her face, making it impossible to see her expression.
Matty looked up at her with worry, instinctively reaching out and holding her hand.
“Sharon…”
Her hand was ice cold.
“I’m fine,” Sharon said quietly, finally lifting her head. Her eyes were devoid of warmth as they swept over Madeline’s aggressive face. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
The others froze. She had just been slapped, yet she was smiling.
Before anyone could speak, Sharon suddenly raised her hand and delivered two crisp slaps across Carter’s face.
Smack. Smack.
The room went still.
Madeline stared at her, finger trembling as she pointed. “Sharon… you dared hit my son?!”
Sharon looked her in the eyes, her voice slow and steady. “Carter isn’t just your son. He’s my husband. He’s Theo’s father. Those two slaps-I gave them on your behalf.”
Madeline shook with rage, nearly fainting.
“You-you’re rebelling now, is that it?!”
Sharon’s voice turned cold. “Rebelling? That’s a bit much, Madeline. If I’m getting hit for doing nothing, then the one who actually took Theo out deserves at least two.”
It was Carter who had taken the child out?
Madeline’s breath caught. She turned toward her son.
Carter stood stiffly, his face dark and sullen from the slaps. Meeting her eyes, he said, “Mom, this wasn’t Sharon’s fault.”
Madeline realized her mistake, but kept her chin raised, too proud to admit it. “She’s his mother. Isn’t it a woman’s duty to stay home, care for the kids, and support her husband? Even if it’s not her direct fault, she should take responsibility.”
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Sharon’s gaze was cool and clear.
“I take responsibility for my own actions. But am I also supposed to shoulder the consequences of my husband’s mistakes?”
She stared straight at Madeline. “Is that how little you think of women? Have you forgotten-you’re a woman too?”
Madeline’s face twisted with fury. She stepped forward, hand raised again, ready to strike.
Sharon didn’t flinch. Her voice dropped to an icy calm. “Try it, Madeline. If you touch me again, I’ll report you for assault.”
Madeline let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Assault? Didn’t you just hit Carter? You think the police won’t come after you too?”
Sharon smiled faintly, but her tone held a mocking edge. “You’re wrong. Carter and I are married. If there’s any violence between us, it’s considered a domestic issue. No one’s going to intervene.”
She looked Madeline straight in the eye.
“So it’s fine to hit ME, but I can’t lay a finger on him? Because I married a Biggs, I’m suddenly bottom of the food chain? What- I’m the easy target? The one you can just slap around whenever you’re pissed?”
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