Dylan parked the car and walked over, seeing Jennifer squatting on the ground chatting with Tina, so he stood waiting.
“How did it go?”
Dylan moved closer to ask.
Jennifer stood up, glanced at Tina, “It’s handled but not completely. This isn’t something solved with just an apology.
I thought they were just occasionally rude, figured we’d let it slide.
But Tina just told me they sometimes snatch her snacks, bump into her for no reason. That changes everything.”
Seeing Jennifer’s fierce expression, he chuckled.
He took Tina’s hand toward the classroom, expecting Jennifer to wait outside, but she insisted on entering.
During the meeting, the boy stood trembling in the corner, watching Jennifer.
After the teacher finished, Jennifer raised her hand.
The room fell silent instantly. Parents watched her approach the front, murmuring.
Jennifer cleared her throat, looking down at the parent from below the stage. She noticed the corner boy, stared at him for seconds before speaking.
“I’m Tina’s aunt. Tina may not have parents anymore.
But she’s not your punching bag. She never mentioned this before, but today I heard ugly comments myself. We’ve settled it privately, so I won’t
name names.
But if it happens again? It won’t be this easy. The price will be much steeper. Think carefully.
“Tina…”
The teacher tried to interrupt, but Jennifer ignored him.
“Now she’s got her uncle and aunt. With us here? Don’t even dream of bullying her.
That’s all. And to parents gossiping behind backs? If I catch it, you’ll face
the music.”
She flicked her sleeve and stepped down.
Silence blanketed the room again.
When she glanced back at the corner, the boy was gone.
Dylan gave her a thumbs–up, leaning in. “Why so brave today? You’re like a different person.”
Jennifer realized she truly had changed.
Now she wanted to protect things like family. Dylan and Tina were her family.
That’s why she’d grown brave. More independent too.
Seeing Jennifer’s commanding presence on stage, Tina’s anxiety melted
away.
When the meeting ended, they breathed easy.
Tina hopped around Jennifer, feeding her a lollipop from her backpack.
Laughing together, they walked to the car. Inside, Dylan looked at her seriously. “Thank you.”
“What for? You’re my family now. Protecting family’s what I do.”
Jennifer met his gaze, reply crisp.
Dylan couldn’t resist. He leaned in and kissed her.
Tina instantly turned away, covering her eyes.
For Alexander, everything stayed unchanged.
Since marrying Jennifer, he’d given up on remarriage.
He felt he had wronged Jennifer, and betrayed the promises he once
made.
Since then, the mother hadn’t lived her dreamed–of life as a wealthy mother–in–law in the Smith family.
Whenever she went out, people called her a venomous woman who sold her daughter, claiming her child nearly lost her entire future because of her.
She moved into a nursing home. Besides Alexander’s occasional visits, the money Jennifer sent monthly came through anonymous accounts.
She didn’t know if Jennifer still lived there, nor could she bear to seek her
out.
Her health deteriorated daily.
IV drips and medications became routine. Though Alexander arranged top doctors, nothing helped.
Her life was one of suffering–enduring domestic violence, then pinning all hopes on Jennifer after her husband’s sudden death, never realizing her, daughter was also that marriage’s casualty.
She demanded too much, pushing Jennifer into an abyss and driving her away completely.
Tears became her constant companion, regret her only solace.
Watching seasons change outside her window, she whispered endless apologies to Jennifer in her heart.
Late at night, she’d pray devoutly for her daughter’s future–may it bring smooth sailing, free from sorrow.
Day after day, without fail, the mother continued until her eyes closed forever as late autumn painted the world beyond her window.
Her funeral was set for November.
