Chapter 8
208words
"Auntie, thanks for the invitation, but my boyfriend won't be coming. We're vacationing on a private island. Why would we visit your little fishing village?"
She locked eyes with me, smirking triumphantly.
She continued, emphasizing each word:
"But please, control your daughter.
She follows us around like a pathetic puppy. It's becoming a nuisance.
"There's a term you might know—homewrecker.
"Or should I explain what that means to someone from your... background?"
My vision blurred with angry tears as I lunged for the phone.
Before I could reach it, Joel grabbed my arm in an iron grip.
"Don't touch her!"
I froze, staring at his hardened expression.
He used to defend me this way from others.
Now he was protecting her from me.
"Auntie, is your family..."
As her insults grew more vicious,
I struggled desperately against Joel's grip, my voice breaking.
"Joel, please let go. I'm begging you."
Tears welled up, threatening to spill over.
Just as I was about to break down, a deafening crash split the air.
Joel's phone lay in pieces on the floor, and a familiar voice cut through the chaos.
"Shut the hell up! Your voice is giving me a migraine."
