Camila gently pushed Claire aside and swung back, slapping Melinda across the face.
Smack!
The sound was loud, louder than the slap Melinda had given.
Camila had been practicing martial arts for a long time and her strength was not small. Melinda’s face immediately swelled up.
Melinda was stunned. So were the bystanders.
“Camila, how dare you strike your aunt!” Riley made a move as if to intervene.
“What are you gonna do!” Claire immediately stepped in front of Camila, glaring at Riley.
Riley shook his hand off.
“You bitch, I’ll tear you apart!” Melinda yelled loudly.
“Enough!” the old woman shouted.
“You speak without manners. What’s wrong with an aunt slapping her niece? How can you hit back!” She glared at Camila accusingly.
Claire looked at her mother, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Just a slap? Why should my beloved child be hit at all? What did she say that was wrong?” she countered.
Grandma, whose face turned pale with rage, pointed at Claire and scolded, “How dare you speak to me like that now! You’re so ungrateful!”
Claire gave a bitter smile, helplessly. “I came to you with a newborn, seeking support from my family. What did you say? A married daughter is useless…”
“Have you ever thought of me for even a moment? Have you? You always favor my brother.” she challenged.
“How have I not!” Grandma shouted back. “I found you a husband. It was your own fault for not being able to bear him a son, leading to your divorce!”
“Oh… All you cared about was the wedding gifts he offered, which you then gave to my brother for his business ventures. Did you give me any wedding gifts?” Claire asked again.
Grandma’s eyes bulged, and her face was beet red with anger. “Fine, so you’ve always resented me. How could I have given birth to such a thankless child!”
Claire shook her head, speaking calmly.
“All these years, you demanded the little money I managed to save with cries and threats, asking me to give it all to you for buying a house. You gave birth to me, raised me for over a decade, and I should have repaid that by now.”
Grandma pointed at her and cursed vehemently. “You are so useless!”
“You’ve gone too far!” Riley stepped up to Claire, fists clenched.
Drew, hearing the quarrel from the bathroom, rushed out, standing in front of Claire, and shouted. “Enough, Grandma! Mom and Dad! Enough!”
“They have been more than kind to us. What more do you want! It’s all my fault. I should be the one to be punished!” Ads by PubFuture
“This has nothing to do with you, kid. Move aside!” Melinda tried to pull him away, but couldn’t budge him.
Drew turned and bowed deeply to Claire. With tears in his eyes, he said, “Aunt Claire, I’m sorry.”
Claire helped him up. “Drew, I’ve never blamed you. It’s just heartbreaking…”
“I know, I know all about it…” Drew pursed his lips, holding back his tears. He had always known how poorly his grandmother treated his aunt and cousin, and was aware of his parents’ indifference and selfishness.
“Why bother talking to her! Let’s go!” Riley pulled him away, pointing at Claire. “You want to cut ties, fine, but just remember, I’ll make it big one day. Don’t you dare come asking for help then!”
“Let’s get out of here. I can’t stand this dump for another second!” Melinda cursed as they left, “I even suspect that our family’s bad luck started when we got involved with them!” “Exactly! A discarded wife and an ungrateful girl,” Riley echoed.
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