…and I felt a surge of adrenaline like never before. With every ounce of strength left in my battered body, I lunged forward, shielding her from the brutal blow. The bat collided with my back instead, sending shockwaves of agony rippling through me. But my only thought was Lily. Her wide, terrified eyes locked onto mine as she clung to my arm, her tiny frame shaking with fear.
In that moment, everything else faded away. The accusations, the betrayal, the searing physical pain; none of it mattered as much as the safety of my child. I whispered softly to her, trying to soothe her terror despite the chaos around us. “It’s okay, sweetie. Mommy’s here. I’ve got you.”
Mark rushed over, horror etched across his face. He grabbed the bat from my mother’s hands, yelling at her to stop. The room erupted into chaos, voices overlapping, but I could barely process any of it. I was on my knees, holding Lily close, whispering reassurances while my body screamed in protest.
