Vanessa then said, in a falsely light tone,
“You should help your mother clean. That’s what you’re supposed to do. You have to be useful at home.”

Leo looked at me. His cheeks turned scarlet. No anger. No tears. Just that silent shame that tightens the throat.

Around us, the children didn’t understand. The adults avoided our eyes. And Mark… Mark stood there, motionless, without saying a word.

I felt a shiver run through me. I wanted to scream. To put her in her place. I wanted to protect my son, but I held myself back.