Retribution

ounding as she tried to keep her composure. Mr. Joe, with a st

patience. "Aren't you tired of causing trouble? Don't mess

nded, "I've been brought here several times

who had accompanied her to the office,

test and continued, "Sophia'

t doesn't matter, sir. I'm a student

leaned forward, challenging

but then began, "

on the table, the sound echoing through the room. "You are

didn't... Are they paying you, sir

"How dare you? Get out

streaming down her face. Miss Lizzy watched her leave, then turned to Mr. Joe with a determined loo

y trembling as she cried softly to herself. "What should I

illed with disdain. "What was that all abou

tried to defend herself

d. "You saw everything, Miss Lizzy, so

else does either. People like you never make it in life; some rot in jail while oth

confusion of the situation. Tears continued to stream down her face as she whispered to hers

hts, Anne suddenly appeared, her face fi

. "I'm always at fault. They blame me for

s she tried to comfort her f

lably. "Everyone is hurting me-my dad, Miss Lizzy,

immediately wrapped her arms around

one is there for me. Mom is always busy, and you can't lea

d, pulling back sligh

lease don't tell anyone, Anne. He t

e paled. "

nne," Seli

e replied, her voice

roviding a much-needed sense of se

ed. "What abou

can't find me, he will go b

ts mad," Selina pointed ou

. "I know, but I am tired of d

ration. "Don't forget they are

er tone lightening. "Let's wal

irls found solace in each other's company,

d to his ear. "What do you mean you didn't see Anne? She isn't

in frustration. "Anne has become a

jaw clenched. "We will teach he

nd Anne walked in, looking ca

e cut through steel. "I

"What's wrong this time? The driver

sharp as she accus

the constant arguments

each Selina a lesson," Taylor declare

"Don't even t

stration and helplessness. "Mom, Dad, this isn't fair. Selina is not to blame. She talked

on the couch, looking disappointe

t her with indifference. "Yes, that's because I h

nse. "Dad, with the way you treat me,

changed. "Do I look like I care?

elina asked, "Dad, what

Richard replied bluntly before

ered to herself, "I miss Mom. She is th

faces twisted with anger. Selina, startled,

rat," Taylor snapped.

ng," Diego added, his v

tened, Selina aske

replied, "My daughter doesn't need a low-

ina's eyes as she trie

ed them in front of your wench mo

widened in sho

voice mocking. "Yo

ack any longer, Selina screamed in frustration, her tears flowing f

rents' living room, arms crossed, her frustration eviden

r sternly. "Anne, as long as you are livi

yes. "Then I'll l

in control, interjected,

g silly right now, Mom. I am being serious. I have n

the right choices and cancel out the wrong on

" She turned and stormed out of th

t Diego for support. "Sh

a concerned expression on her face. "Love..."

promised

your father." She muttered, glancing at he

ssion stern. "Don't you think you're spoilin

sed by Selina's accusat

really trying, he'd have found a job by now. I

ng her head. "Love, trust me

d over. "So this is it? No

said softly, as though the pres

d. "Yes, he's

Frances pleaded, trying to

to her husband and love for her. "Thank you for everything, Mom." She st

misty with pride. "I kn

like you," Selina whispered, h

ugged her daughter tig

replied, smiling

sing her brow. "I'm sorry I have to go, love," s

udents enjoying the brief respite before the next lecture. Mi

beside him, smi

book tightly to her chest. She spotted

ophia stuck out her leg

books scattering across the floo

e, concern etched on h

w student, hurried over to help. "Are y

but nodded. "Y

smirk widening. "Be more careful n

look. "You should watch w

on, Jake, who's talking to y

be on your side at all

attention, waved him off. "

seat, her voice soft wit

brush off the incident. "What about

ed. "I don'

home then," Selin

asked, her voice h

shoulders slumping.

ching. "Selina, I am sorry for everyth

unt the happy moments because they go by seconds, but the sad moments go by minutes, hours, days, we

"Selina, look at me. Never give up! Happy moments are c

small smile. "T

termination. "I am always here in bad and good mo

" Selina replied,

knowing look and said

near the school gate, chatting and laughi

st adventure. "You remember what ha

, but they crossed the li

d it off. "

alking home?"

ke appeared, his expression fr

e," Selina repl

ogetically. "Sorry abou

"It's fine. I'm u

. "Gosh, my driver came. See you later, Selina.

oduced himself,

ye, Jake." She

d to Jake. "

elina. Are you walki

don't think so. My dad i

My mom is coming

lina teased, a playf

busy. I only get to see h

. "That's the opposite of my p

s do for their chi

. "Spoken jus

d, Selina's father, leaned out the win

quick wave. See y

he car. As Richard drove away, Jake turned and head

h her arms crossed, frustration evident on her face. Dieg

I'm twenty for crying out loud!" Anne e

hin. "Not this argument again. Go get

"Since when do I attend

"Today. Anne, our business was failing, but a

ment. "And now we want

that he won't think

n creeping into her voice. "And?

aylor before replying, "I think

er voice. "Look, I am not some pawn

says you are a pawn, honey? Like I said earlier, we are here to mak

n disbelief. "Then ge

n as he intervened. "Wat

ness, business. You only care about your business. I ha

g to appeal to her daughter. "My point exact

arms defiantly. "

erated. "I know what I said. Now

casm. "You didn't even deem it fit to let me kno

though his pat

't blame me because I put my self-esteem in high regard. I w

r sighed heavily and turned to Diego,