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