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 cant
.Hank looked at me in disbelief, his hand trembling as he pointed at me, trying to say something, Before he could
speak, Susie suddenly collapsed, weakly calling out for him
“Han… Hank…”
But this time, Hank didn’t rush to her. His eyes remained fixed on me, red with rage and disbelief.
Not wanting to escalate things further, my father quickly helped me back to the hospital room, worried something else might happen.
Later, as my mother laid out the meal she’d prepared, a knock came at the door.
The next second, Hank stepped inside.
“Dad, Mom, I came to see Pearl.”
My father’s expression darkened immediately. His voice was icy.
“Mr. Dawson, you must be joking. My wife and I don’t dare accept being called your ‘Dad‘ and ‘Mom.“”
Guilt filled Hank’s face, and behind him, his parents followed.
Hank’s mother offered me an awkward smile, while his father, without a word, kicked Hank hard.
Then, Hank’s father quickly turned to me with a placating tone.
“Pearl, we’ve heard everything. It’s all Hank’s fault,” he said. “We’ve already scolded him severely. He knows he was wrong. We’re truly sorry you’ve been treated so poorly.
My mother glared at him, about to speak, but I caught her wrist, stopping her. I gave her a look and spoke calmly.
“Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, you both know how Hank has treated me throughout our marriage
