[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260313F01E2B-63":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},63,4,"Chapter 4: A Mother's Defiance","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I held back for my daughter's sake.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She was the one beautiful remnant of a love that had died, my precious treasure.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My eyes welled up as I traced the delicate curve of my daughter's face. After so long apart, the seven-year-old's gaze held a mixture of pure joy and a tiny spark of fear.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina cradled our daughter, her smirk a challenge directed at me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Selena, darling, tell Auntie what you've been learning in school lately?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The Walker clan erupted in a chorus of praise for Valentina.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As Sebastian's right-hand woman, Valentina had wormed her way into every corner of my daughter's life.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I knew the Walkers saw her, a woman from an equally esteemed background, as the only one truly fit to raise a Walker child.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian's mother, in particular, was convinced. She’d always made it clear she thought my own background was too common, my upbringing too rough, and she never missed a chance to make my life difficult.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back then, for Sebastian and our daughter, I’d swallowed my pride and endured it all.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina set Selena down and handed Sebastian's mother a few membership cards.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Auntie, Sebastian and I recently found this amazing chiropractic and wellness clinic. Their methods are top-notch. Sebastian’s eyes have been bothering him, and after just one session, he felt so much better. I got a few memberships for you all too.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Naturally, the Walkers fawned over Valentina once more.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian looked at me, his expression one of stunned disbelief.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I knew exactly what he wanted to ask. The clinic was the one run by my apprentice, Aurora.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But I had zero desire to give him the satisfaction.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I knelt beside my daughter, speaking softly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Who cared what she was learning? All that mattered was that she was healthy and happy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My daughter fidgeted, her small hands twisting the hem of her dress. She seemed to want to speak, but darted a fearful glance at Valentina.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A white-hot anger ignited within me. Valentina controlled every aspect of my daughter's life—her schedule, her studies, her playtime.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">What had Valentina done to her to make a seven-year-old child so terrified?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sebastian! From this moment on, I am raising our daughter!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Tears streamed down my face as I pulled my daughter into a fierce hug. She clung to my arm with equal desperation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Natalie, what kind of upbringing did you have that you think you're qualified to teach a Walker child?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before Sebastian could utter a word, his mother launched into a scathing attack.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian's face darkened. He rose to his feet, his gaze locking onto mine.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What are you trying to stir up now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina, never one to miss an opportunity to twist the knife, chimed in:\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Natalie… I know you resent me, but everyone knows your mother was a murderer…\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian spun around, snapping at her, \"Enough!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I gently set my child down and walked calmly towards Valentina. I slapped her, hard.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Silence descended, thick and suffocating.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then Sebastian’s furious roar split the air: \"That’s enough! Natalie! What the hell is wrong with you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was struggling to keep his rage in check.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is this how you act as a mother, in front of our child?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I let out a broken laugh.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I admit, I’m not a perfect mother. But are you a perfect father?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My laughter died, replaced by a cold dread as I stared into Sebastian's increasingly panicked eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sebastian. Have you ever considered this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If I have a murderer for a mother, that's my father's fault.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then if I become a crazy mother, whose fault would that be?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina seized the opening. Clutching her cheek, she played the victim.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Natalie, you can hit me if you want, but don't take your anger out on Sebastian. Let's just talk this through calmly. You're scaring the child.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She stepped forward, feigning concern for my daughter, reaching out to pull Selena away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I wouldn't let her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Grabbing a coffee cup from a nearby table, I hurled its contents directly into Valentina's face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Since when do you get a say in my daughter's life?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Valentina shrieked and stumbled back, hiding behind Sebastian, trembling and begging for mercy. Her pathetic display only stoked the protective instincts of everyone present.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Enough, Natalie! Do you even look like a mother right now? Throwing a tantrum in front of your child?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Valentina may not have the Walker name, but I watched her grow up. She’s practically a daughter to our family. She cares more about Sebastian than you ever did. She knew his eyes were bothering him and took him for treatment.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Unlike you, you shrew. You’re not fit to be a wife, let alone a mother!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sebastian's mother, unable to tolerate my outburst any longer, unleashed a torrent of abuse.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her words fanned the flames of my fury.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272924724]