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Martha wailed in the hospital,cursing the doctors, Jenna and me.
I pulled a stunned Jenna to the stairwell,my steady gaze locking onto hers.
"Did you cause Aunt's miscarriage on purpose?"
Tears streaming,she denied it.
"Then explain this photo."
While waiting for the ambulance,I'd noticed ice cubes near the kitchen threshold,some already melted.
I suspected Jenna had placed a pile of ice there before we left.
In summer heat,the ice would melt slowly,creating a slick spot for Aunt,busy in the kitchen,to"accidentally"slip.
With others not being home for hours,the water would evaporate,leaving no trace.
Hearing this,Jenna sobbed,collapsing."I didn't..."
"No,I had no choice!"
"You don't know how that hag torments me every day."
"I sleep in the windowless storage room,eat only scraps."She sobbed,"If Aunt had her own kid,they'd treat me worse!"
The look in her eyes changed."Yes,I was saving myself.I'm not wrong!"
Not wrong?
A lifetime ago,I faced the same hell.
To save money,I lived at school,but weekends,fetching allowance from home,meant Martha's insults and endless chores.
Only Aunt slipped me cash,dropping off clothes and food at school.
To escape,I used scholarships and tutoring fees to cover tuition and living costs, finally escaping from that suffocating home.
"But why hurt Aunt?She's been so good to us!"I demanded,feeling tears welling up in my eyes.
At Aunt's mention,a flicker of guilt flashed across Jenna's eyes.
But it was quickly swallowed by hatred."If she cared,she wouldn't have a kid.She never saw me as her own!"
"You ungrateful brat!"Paul,lurking,charged in,kicking Jenna."If I hadn't followed you two,I wouldn't know we raised a viper!Give me back my son!"
They fought.
Ten days later,Aunt was discharged.
I didn't return to that chaotic house again,instead I gave Aunt some money.
"Aunt,if you want a fresh start,I hope this will help."
I wished she'd escape this toxic marriage and painful life.
"Me?Can I really start again?"Her dulled eyes sparked briefly,then dimmed.
Maybe years as a housewife,or relentless belittling by her in-laws,had eroded her youthful confidence.
"Of course!You were the smartest,prettiest,most talented girl in the county.I remember!"I encouraged.
She seemed moved,and made up her mind about something.
Soon,my break ended,and I returned to France.
At my apartment,a filthy vagrant waited—Uncle.
