[94]

CHRISTY:

I WAS ALREADY expecting it. That Everette would be surprised that Clara slapped me. That he did not believe it. But seeing the look of conflict in his eyes was like a dagger plunged into my chest.

Maybe I should have shut my mouth. Maybe...just maybe...I should have not looked for sympathy. My husband would never side with me, anyway. Blood would be thicker than water.

I meant nothing to him. If I did, he wouldn't have left me alone earlier. I felt so betrayed.

"I'm kidding," I said all of a sudden, trying to put a smile on my face. "Your Mom never hurt me. I mean why would she?" I inquired, chuckling. “Yes, we have some moments. We had some arguments, but it did not come to a point that she slapped her,” I assured him.

Why are you defending the woman who was the second worst to your Mom?

"Did she hurt you? Did she slap you?" he asked.

I smiled bitterly. "No," I answered curtly. "She did not."

"Then who hurt you?" he pressed, his eyebrows forming a straight line. "Kitten.