Chapter 2: The Breaking Point
Chapter 2: The Breaking Point
Margaret examined the salad with obvious disgust.
"So this is what you call cooking?"
Emma opened her mouth to apologize.
She never got the chance.
Without warning, Margaret stood, grabbed Emma by the back of the head—
—and slammed her face directly into the enormous salad bowl.
Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and creamy dressing exploded across the polished dining table.
Emma struggled before finally pulling herself free.
Salad dressing dripped from her hair.
A piece of lettuce clung to her cheek.
For one long moment...
No one moved.
Then Daniel burst into laughter.
He leaned back in his chair, laughing so hard tears filled his eyes.
"Look at her!" he shouted.
"She actually looks better now!"
A few relatives forced nervous smiles.
Most of the dinner guests sat frozen in complete shock.
No one expected anyone to humiliate another human being so publicly.
Emma slowly lifted her head.
Her eyes moved from Margaret...
...to Daniel...
...to every silent face around the table.
The tears never came.
May you like
Instead...
Something inside her finally broke.
