“What do you think you’re doing? Who are you trying to intimidate?” Natalie shouted from behind.

“Hey, stop right there! Who do you think you’re showing that attitude to?” she yelled again, her tone sharper this time.

Tommy, pointing at me, said, "Bad Grandma!"

"You think you're entitled to act like this just because you made a meal, huh?" Natalie stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "All of my relatives are outside, and you're trying to embarrass me on purpose, aren't you?"

Just then, my son, John, walked into the kitchen. "What’s going on?"

"Dad, Grandma Helen is being mean to me, and she’s bullying Mom. You have to punish her!" Tommy cried out.

I looked at John, my heart sinking. He had always been the one I relied on, the one I tolerated everything for. Over the years, he always sided with Natalie, defending her actions, even when I felt wronged. But it hadn’t always been this way. I thought it was just the honeymoon phase, and once that passed, I believed he would realize things weren’t right and would talk some sense into her.

That was my hope.

But as John walked in, I still couldn’t shake the belief that, maybe, he’d say something comforting.

I stared at him and explained what had just happened.

But Natalie jumped in before he could answer. "Honey, are you going to believe her or me? When I walked in, I saw her hit Tommy. Now that you’re here, she’s making up lies, saying things that aren’t true in front of him. Doesn’t even care if she sets a bad example for my son?"

Before I could say another word, Natalie cut in, her tone sharp and accusatory. “And that’s just what I saw. Who knows what she does when no one’s around? I didn’t want to hire a nanny because I was afraid they wouldn’t care for Tommy properly, so I asked Helen to help instead. I never thought something like this would happen.”

John turned to me, his expression hardening. "Mom, how could you do this? Tommy’s just a kid. How could you lay a hand on your grandson?"

Natalie chimed in, her tone cold as ice. "Helen's just upset because she had to cook. She’s just taking her frustration out on Tommy."

Looking at John, I could see that he sided with his wife; his expression was unreadable, as he clearly didn't believe me.

"Fine," I said, my voice trembling with disappointment. "If I’m not wanted here, I’ll leave."

Honestly, I couldn’t stay in this stifling home any longer.

Natalie’s expression hardened. "Tommy may be young, but he still has pride. You can’t just bully him like this. If you’re leaving, you’ll apologize to him first."

John added, his voice resolute, "Mom, Natalie's right. Tommy deserves respect, too. Just because you’re the elder doesn’t mean you can get away with this. You owe him an apology."

I thought I must have misheard. John, the same man I had raised with so much care, was now saying these cold, heartless words to me.

I had kept my grievances to myself for so long, but now, everything I had been holding in exploded. The bitter pain hit me like a wave, and tears started streaming down my face.

Natalie sneered. "Oh, god! Here we go again! So now you’re crying? What’s next? Are you going to throw a tantrum?"

She then addressed John, saying, "Honey, I’m warning you. What’s wrong is wrong. Crying and causing a scene won’t excuse her."

John’s face darkened, his patience thinning. "Mom, you always taught me to be reasonable, but now you’re the one being unreasonable. Crying won’t help. I’m Tommy’s father, and if he’s being mistreated, I can’t just ignore it, even if it’s you doing it. I have an obligation to stand up for him, and if an apology is due, then you need to apologize."

His words shattered me.

I fought to suppress the pain, wiping away my tears.

I didn’t want to say another word.

Without looking back, I turned and walked away.

Natalie followed me into the living room, her voice rising in anger. "Stop right there! I’m done with you acting like you own the place! This family won’t tolerate you throwing tantrums!"

The room fell silent, all eyes turning toward me.

Natalie's mom hurried over to Natalie’s side. "What’s going on, dear?"

"Mom..." Natalie sobbed, her voice dripping with feigned grievance. "Not only did Helen bully Tommy, but now she’s bullying me, too. She’s trying to set rules for me on New Year’s Eve."

She sniffled dramatically and said, "And she calls me shameless for inviting all of you over to celebrate New Year's at our house."

Twisting the story until black became white, she loudly told her version for everyone to hear.

And just like that, I became the villain in my own home.

Natalie’s mother, Portia, fixed me with a hard, accusing stare.

“Helen, how could you treat my daughter like this, even in front of everyone?” she demanded.

I stared back at Natalie, unblinking. "When did I ever say those things? When did I ever bully you?"

Furious, Natalie spat back, “When I walked in, I saw you slap Tommy. I told you twice to stop, and instead, you cursed at me. Then, when John came in, you took advantage of him being on your side and hit me twice.”

She turned to John, her tone shifting into wounded outrage. “Honey, you saw it, didn’t you? You saw her slap me.”

John hesitated, then answered carefully, his voice low and measured. “I didn’t go in to help Mom. I meant to stop her, but I didn’t expect she’d hit you. Don’t worry, babe. Even if she’s my mother, I won’t stand by and let her bully you or Tommy.”

He turned to his wife with a concerned expression and gave her a steady, apologetic look.

Usually, John always sided with Natalie, and I let it slide. But now, I never expected him to support her in making up such a false accusation against me.

I was the apple of my family's eye when I was young.

After I got married, I became my husband’s treasure, and as Dr. Suzette Newman, I earned the respect of everyone in the medical community. After retiring, several hospitals even asked me to return to work.

It was Natalie who didn’t trust the nanny to care for Tommy, so I stepped in to help.

After everything I’d done for them, this was how it turned out. The thought sank in slowly but painfully. Once my grandson started school and no longer needed me, they’d have no use for me either. I’d just become another burden they wanted to get rid of.

At that moment, I had had enough of being quiet. I wasn’t going to leave without speaking my mind.

I looked directly at John and said, “Say that again. I’ve been staying quiet and letting things go for the sake of your marriage, but I won’t accept being accused of something I didn’t do. You just married Natalie, and now you’ve already forgotten your own mother. If that’s true, then I guess I’m the unlucky one here. But be a man, John. Have some conscience.”

"Conscience? If you had any conscience, you’d admit your mistakes, Helen," Natalie interrupted sharply.

Then she turned to John and said, “Honey, what are you so afraid of? These days, everyone’s equal. Your mother doesn’t get to boss you around just because she’s older. There are plenty of elders here besides her. Just tell the truth.”

John turned to me, his expression hardening. "Mom, if you’ve done something wrong, you need to admit it."

I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed through the room, and for several long moments, the atmosphere became tense and eerily silent.

Natalie completely lost it. “You all saw that, right? This is what she’s always like. The minute she gets upset, she hits someone. If things don’t go her way, she lashes out. John and I have been walking on eggshells in this house.”

She turned to John, her tone turning firm but coaxing. “Honey, don’t be scared. Everyone’s here, and no one’s going to judge you. Stand up for yourself and set an example for Tommy. When someone mistreats you, you should fight back.”

“Yes, fight back,” Portia said, eager to back Natalie. “If Helen does not care about you, I do. From now on, we will all live together as one big family.”

“Are you going to hit me?” I asked.

I moved closer, reducing the gap between my son and me.

Natalie’s uncle moved up behind John. “What are you afraid of? We will back you up.”

Joining the dissent, her younger sister called out from the side. “Yeah, John, hit her. She is disrespecting her elders and deserves to be punished.”

“Hit her,” Natalie’s aunt said, with her hands on her hips. “If she dares to fight back, your uncle will make sure she pays for it.”

I watched John, waiting for him to make a choice. Accusing me was one thing, but physically hitting me would be a different matter.

“If you won’t, I will,” Natalie’s uncle said with finality, raising his hand as he stepped forward.

And so, John moved faster.

He slapped me across the face. The look on his face shifted to one that was cold and alien after he struck me.

John then fixed his gaze on me, his voice cold. “Apologize to Tommy. If you apologize, you can stay in the house. If you don’t, get out.”

A smug smile spread across Natalie’s face. "What’s the point of showing off in front of us at your age? Haven’t you thought about what’ll happen when you’re too old to move? If you keep treating us this way, don’t be surprised when karma catches up with you. If I were you, I’d just apologize and be done with it."

I couldn’t hear anything else she said after that. When John slapped me, my heart sank.

My face stung, but the ache in my chest was even worse.

“All right, I'll go,” I muttered. “I’m leaving right now.”

I turned and walked toward the bedroom, or rather, the small storage room under the stairs.

This villa had many rooms, but none were ever meant for me.

My grandson had a study room, and Natalie turned a bedroom into a yoga studio with a calming atmosphere.

Moreover, Portia had her own room, and while Natalie’s sister rarely stayed over, a room was set aside for her that was never used.

Natalie's relatives also had rooms, and the only space left for me was a small, empty storage room.

It didn’t even have much to clear out.

I hadn’t bought myself a single new piece of clothing in years, so packing everything I owned didn’t take long.

As I folded my clothes, memories of my brother-in-law’s advice from years ago flooded my mind. I couldn’t help but wish I could slap myself across the face.

I’m an only child, and when my parents’ old house was demolished, Natalie suggested we use the money to buy a villa.

Daniel's brother, Leroy, said it was fine, but the property deed should be in my name.

At the time, I thought it would be easier to avoid conflict between Natalie and John over ownership, since I only had one son. So, I agreed to put both of their names on the deed.

Looking back now, I could only blame myself.

I glanced around the tiny storage room, already preparing to leave, when John walked in.

"Mom," he began, his tone measured, "with everyone watching just now, it wouldn’t have been right for me to stand by. I know you’re innocent, but as an elder, you should have been more patient."

He hesitated, then added, "Besides, Tommy is your grandson. Apologizing won’t cost you anything."

When John, knowing full well I’d been wronged, still spoke to me with that righteous tone, I was too exhausted to argue.

But he wasn’t done and continued, "Also, I just spoke to Natalie. She’s not as angry now. She said that as long as you apologize to Tommy and her, you can stay in the house."

“Get out of my way,” I said coldly, staring straight at him.

"Mom, I spoke on your behalf," he said, sounding almost impatient. "Natalie’s given you a chance to apologize. Come on, it’s New Year’s Eve. Don’t make things worse than they already are. Everyone’s waiting for dinner. What kind of person leaves dinner half-cooked?

When I didn’t respond, he pushed further. "You’re the elder here. Can’t you be a little more forgiving? Are you really happy now that such a small thing has caused all this trouble?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

"Small thing?" I echoed, my voice rising. "You two accused me of something I didn’t do, and you hit me. How is that small? John, listen carefully. From now on, I don’t have a son like you.”

John’s face hardened.

“You said that yourself,” he stated flatly. “I’ve recorded it and am sending it in the family group chat now."