Chapter 5

He gripped my wrist angrily.

"What kind of attitude is this? I'm the child's father! I'm your husband! Don't I have the right to know the results of my own child's checkup?"

I tried to pull my hand back, but Hank held on tightly. Fed up, I slapped him across the face.

"Hank! You think you're fit to be a father?"

Furious, he tightened his grip on my wrist, his voice brimming with anger.

"How am I not? Let me tell you, Pearl, even if we get divorced, I will fight for custody of our child. You won't even get a chance to see them again. I—"

Before he could finish his threat, my father returned, holding the water he'd gone to fetch. Upon seeing the scene, he didn't hesitate—he threw a punch that landed squarely on Hank's face.

"Let me tell you something—the child is gone!" my father spat. "If you want custody, go dig through a trash can!"

Hank looked at me in disbelief, his hand trembling as he pointed at me, trying to say something. Before he could speak, Susie suddenly coll