Chapter 603:
Taken aback, Myla instinctively took Linsey’s hand in hers, whispering reassurances. “Don’t worry, Linsey, everything will be alright.” Linsey seemed disconnected from the ongoing dispute. She glanced down at her hand in Myla’s, feeling an inexplicable reluctance to let go.
What an odd sensation—why did she feel this way?
At that moment, Carol, always perceptive and on edge, overheard Myla’s words to Linsey. Unable to restrain herself, she dashed forward, intent on prying Linsey’s hand from Myla’s. “Linsey! Release my mother’s hand!”
Carol was poised to dodge past her father to reach Linsey and Myla, but in the next instant, Cruz’s hand came down hard, delivering a sharp slap to Carol.
The sound echoed sharply.
Suddenly, everything fell completely still.
Carol staggered backward, struggling to regain her balance. Her breaths came in shaky gasps; she had never imagined her father would strike her.
Myla, too, was stunned and gasped, clutching at Cruz’s arm, her voice urgent. “How could you strike her?”
She attempted to approach Carol, but Cruz firmly held her back. “Don’t go to her. She’s not in the right state of mind. Let Jeffery handle this and take her home.”
The possibility of Carol injuring Myla unsettled Cruz.
From her vantage point, Linsey watched the unfolding drama, raising an eyebrow in surprise. It appeared that Cruz held a deep affection for his wife. In his eyes, Jeffery and Carol seemed to matter less, almost as if he was indifferent to their well-being. This indifference was clear when he slapped Carol harshly and scolded her instead of comforting her.
Myla, however, was truly worried about her children. Yet, her concern was clearly not enough to erase the damage Cruz had caused to Carol.
Carol responded with a derisive snicker.
Jeffery, overwhelmed by the escalating situation, shut his eyes. He inhaled deeply and moved toward Carol again, his voice gentle. “Carol, let’s head home. We can sort everything out there, okay?” Carol’s gaze was vacant, and she said nothing.
Jeffery paused, then tentatively reached for Carol’s arm. With surprising strength, Carol pushed Jeffery away.
The sound of the impact was loud. Jeffery was thrust against the edge of a nearby cabinet. Pain shot through his lower back, causing him to cry out as his complexion blanched.
“Jeffery!” Myla cried, hurrying to support her son and helping him to his feet.
Carol shot a chilling look toward Linsey. “Just you wait, Linsey. You won’t get away with this,” she said, then stormed off, disregarding her brother completely.
