Daisy heard every word. She thrust out her small hands and shoved Ethel as hard as she could.
But she was just a child. There was barely any force behind it.
Yet Ethel crumpled to the ground, her head striking a rock.
A sharp cry rang out, and Nathan's hand shot forward, shoving my daughter to the ground.
But Daisy's voice didn't stop.
"My mommy is NOT the other woman! You're a bad lady! I won't let anyone bully my mommy!"
The skin on Daisy's palms was scraped raw.
I crouched down to help her up, but Nathan's gaze cut toward me, his brow furrowed.
"Sarah, is this how you've raised your child?"
"Stupid. Pathetic. Disgraceful."
Something inside me finally broke. My stomach churned, bile and bitterness rising all at once.
Blood crept up my throat, hot and metallic, threatening to spill past my lips.
I pressed my hand against my abdomen, sweat rolling down my forehead from the pain.
Daisy gently rubbed my back, her small voice tight with worry.
"Mommy, are you feeling sick again? Get up. I'll take you to the hospital."
Before I could open my mouth, Nathan reached out and shoved Daisy to the ground a second time, his face flushed crimson.