CHAPTER FIFTY

VENITA:

As we settled into the car, Landon carefully placed Sasha in the back seat. All eyes seemed to be on us, and I experienced a mix of comfort and pride. Landon gallantly opened the car door for me before making his way to the driver's seat.

"I didn't do that," Sasha mumbled softly, her voice trembling.

"I know, sweetheart," I reassured her, reaching out to pat her hand gently.

Landon, sitting in the front, began to address Sasha, his tone firm but caring. "Why did you get into a fight with that boy?"

"He called me a monster," Sasha admitted, her voice still shaken. "He just kept saying it, even when I begged him to stop. I got so mad, and I shoved him hard on his chest."

My head snapped back so quickly that it might have sounded like a crack. I scrutinized my child, trying to make sense of her words. She had the build of a typical child her age. She stood at about three feet five inches tall and weighed around forty pounds. She was petite and still carrying a hint of baby chubbi