Abuse My Kid? Meet My Wrath

I bolted downstairs—and froze.Della was on the floor, clutching a ripped piece of Elise's shirt, crying."Mom, I don't know why Elise hit me," she whined, arm stretched out.Before I could say anything, Elise jumped in. "Mom, I didn't—""Yes, you did!" Della barked. "You said I stole your place for three years and told me to go die!"Then she turned the waterworks up to max. "Mom, I'll leave and give Elise her spot back. Just please don't let me die. I'm scared I'll never see you again."Elise opened her mouth... then clamped it shut.'If I keep explaining, Mom will think I'm a bad kid who won't admit her mistakes.'Last time, every time Della bullied me, Dad and my brothers took her side. They thought I was the one picking on her. Thought she only lied to cover it up.'My chest twisted. Elise stood there, head down—already bracing herself to say sorry.I stepped in front of Elise. "Della, I saw the whole thing. You were the one grabbing at her clothes. So why lie and say sh

I froze.My skin went cold. I stared at Patrick, trying to process it—he actually cheated. Spent my money on his side chick and deliberately swapped their kid with mine.I started shaking, full-on shaking.But Patrick? Thought I was speechless because I understood. "Della's a good kid," he said. "Go home, apologize, bring her a few gifts. She'll get over it."I laughed. "Get over WHAT, exactly? She's your bastard kid—living off MY money, eating MY food—and still acts like I OWE her?"Patrick stiffened. "Wh-What do you mean 'bastard kid'? What are you trying to say?""Oh, Patrick Sheeter... I've been way too nice. You really thought I wouldn't figure it out? That I was THAT dumb?"Something flickered in his eyes—guilt, maybe. But he still tried to act like the victim. "You just don't want to support Della anymore, so now she's suddenly my 'bastard kid'? Seriously? That's messed up."His voice cracked as he got louder. "She's just a kid! You want her growing up with THAT kind of

Elise lowered her head, her tiny body shrinking behind me.'My brothers still don't believe me... not even in this life.'In my last life, when the dog bit me, I told them Della let it happen. Told them it hurt.'But they said I was lying. Said I was just dumb and clumsy, and trying to blame her.'Bruce said I looked disgusting without a nose or ears. Called me a hideous freak.'Clint said I must've lured some random guy, got thrown into a dog cage because I acted slutty—even as a kid.'I didn't even understand what that meant. I just remember feeling hot, dizzy. I asked to go to the hospital... but they left me outside.'If it hadn't rained, maybe I wouldn't have passed out.'Dad found me... but he didn't take me home. I begged to see Mom. He said you didn't want to see me.'I was so sad. Then... I never woke up again.'Her voice echoed in my head, each word shredding me from the inside.I trembled, barely breathing, eyes burning with tears.So this was what she endured af

Della saw me. She slipped off Cathy's arm and ran straight up, full sob-act. "Mom! Mom, I know I was wrong!"Please—let me go to school. I'm a good student. I'll apologize to Elise. Just forgive me and let me come home!"All eyes landed on us.I pointed at Cathy. "You're mistaken. That's your mother."Cathy looked smug. "I gave you such a great daughter, and you still don't appreciate it. Della's going to be somebody. Treat her right now and maybe she'll take care of you when you're old."I frowned. "Everything Della 'achieved' was because I paid for it. And the cash you blew from Patrick? Marital property. I'm reclaiming it. Better start saving."The crowd finally caught on.Whispers turned to jeers—calling Cathy shameless. A side chick bold enough to taunt the wife, then expect her to babysit the side chick's kid.People spat, cursed, full-on hurled insults at her.She snapped, face red. "Erza Everard, what are you even proud of? Your precious sons worshipped Della! You trea