When I opened my eyes again, I saw my mom sitting beside me, tears streaming down her face.

Every part of me ached, and my throat felt like it was on fire. After sipping some water, I managed to ask in a raspy voice, "Mom, why are you crying?"

Her tears flowed even more as she replied, "I shouldn't have trusted Jessica and Dylan." She gently touched my face with her calloused hands. "Because of me, you had to go through this."

Aunt Jessica was standing nearby and scoffed. "Faith, you're not being fair."

"This was all for Phoebe's own good," she continued. "Honestly, you shouldn't have sent her to college in the first place. Look at what came of it—she's fragile, and now she dares to hit a man."

"She's the reason Dylan's still in the hospital."

Her eyes were filled with disdain, clearly angry that I hadn't listened to her and that things had escalated so badly. I was about to argue back when I noticed my mom's grip tightening on my hand.

Aunt Jessica didn't seem to notice that she was pushing my mom's limits.

Without warning, there was a loud "smack" as my mom delivered a heavy slap to Aunt Jessica's face. Having worked on the farm for years, my mom's strength was considerable. Aunt Jessica's face swelled up quickly from the impact.

"Get out!" my mom shouted in a hoarse voice, not giving Jessica a chance to respond. "Get out, and if I see you near Phoebe again, I swear I'll tear you apart."

Her face was a mask of fury, like a mother wolf defending her cubs. Aunt Jessica, momentarily stunned by my mom's anger, backed away.

After a few moments, she managed to yell, "How dare you hit me? You'll regret this…" She continued to curse as she retreated, clearly intimidated.

I watched as she spat on the floor before leaving, the spit tinged with a hint of blood.

My injuries were mostly superficial, and the doctor soon cleared me to leave the hospital.

When we arrived home, Mom helped me out of the car. Several elderly women, who had gathered around, gave me disapproving looks.

I frowned, sensing that something was off.

As soon as we walked in, we heard a commotion. Mom opened the door to find Aunt Jessica, along with Uncle Aidan, Uncle Owen, and even Grandma, who was in a wheelchair.

Since coming back from the hospital, Mom had been unusually quiet. She silently let everyone in.

No sooner had they entered than Uncle Aidan started in on Mom. "I hear you hit Jessica?"

I gave a bitter laugh. "Uncle Aidan, maybe you should ask if Aunt Jessica did something to deserve it?"

Uncle Aidan, known for his short temper, raised his hand to hit me. Mom quickly stepped in front of me, glaring at him without flinching.

Grandma intervened, her voice calm but firm. "Aidan, sit down."

Seeing Mom's determined look, Grandma sighed. "It was Jessica's fault."

Aunt Jessica's face flushed with anger, and Mom looked up, clearly taken aback.

Grandma had four children—two sons and two daughters. Mom was the youngest and had always felt neglected, especially after a difficult childbirth. This neglect led to Mom's submissive nature, always deferring to Aunt Jessica and her brothers.

After Mom married and we fell on hard times, Grandma's indifference grew. She rarely spoke up for Mom, which Mom was painfully aware of.

Seeing Grandma's rare kindness almost made Mom cry.

But then Grandma's tone turned harsh. "But now the damage is done. Phoebe and Dylan have slept together; her reputation is ruined. No one will want her now.

"And the whole village knows. I say, let her marry Dylan."

I narrowed my eyes. From the way those old ladies at the village entrance were looking at me, I should have known Aunt Jessica and the others were spreading rumors.

They were trying to use public opinion to force me into submission.

My mom looked stunned, disbelief etched across her face. "Mom, Phoebe is your own granddaughter!"

Grandma frowned, clearly irritated. "What do you want me to do about it? Your sister took $20,000 from Dylan.

"Now he's at your sister's doorstep every day, demanding an explanation."

Aunt Jessica, looking smug as she watched Grandma support her, tilted her head with satisfaction. It was always like this—whenever Mom did something Aunt Jessica didn't like, Aunt Jessica would go running to Grandma to complain. And every time, Grandma would side with Aunt Jessica, using family obligations as leverage.

Aunt Jessica even stole my mother's previous boyfriend through these tactics, and that man was Aunt Jessica's husband now.

"Faith, you should listen to me. I'm going to have Dylan come through with a settlement offer tomorrow," Grandma said with finality.

Seeing Grandma's determined expression, I couldn't help but let out a cold smile. Fortunately, I had already warned my mom in advance while we were at the hospital.

Seeing the cold, unfeeling stares from Grandma, Aidan, and everyone else, my mom was truly disheartened.

She straightened up, her gaze icy. "Mom, are you really set on having Phoebe marry Dylan?"

Grandma nodded assertively. "As far as I'm concerned, Dylan's a decent catch. He even gave your sister $20,000 just for the matchmaker.

"If it all works out, my grandson-in-law will need to provide me with a beautiful coffin when the time comes. That's your responsibility," Grandma said with a cheerful tone.

Mom didn't say anything; she just scanned the room with a steely look. She walked outside, pushing open the door to find a crowd gathered, eager to watch.

Grandma's face darkened. She nudged Aidan. "Go get your sister back inside. We shouldn't be airing our dirty laundry in public."

I struggled to stand up and followed them outside. Under the sun, Mom pointed at Aidan, who had followed us out, and scolded him, "Want to know why your wife left? Besides your drunken violence, she had someone else.

"You want to know who it is? I'll tell you."

Mom moved closer to Aidan, staring him down. "It's the boss of your favorite sister's husband."

Strike Back