"You're a criminal with a record now. You'll never touch a scalpel again, will you? Treat me nicely, and maybe I can beg Director Gilbert to let you collect trash at the hospital!"
She leaned closer. "Oh right, I forgot to tell you. After today's free clinic, Director Gilbert is taking me in as his goddaughter. From now on, I'll be his good daughter—and you'll be a useless piece of trash with no dad and no mom!"
Years of suppressed rage erupted.
I seized her wrist, raised my other hand, and swung—
But before my palm could connect, someone grabbed it from behind.
"Alice!"
Dad rushed up and shoved me away, positioning himself between us like a shield—for her.
"Haven't you caused enough trouble?! Two punishments weren't enough?!"
Behind him, Chloe covered her mouth and snickered.
I stared at him in disbelief. "Dad, she pushed me first. She said you were taking her as your daughter. She said I have no dad and no mom—"
"Shut up!"
He cut me off before I could finish.
"Chloe is such a well-behaved kid. She would never say something like that. You're lying!"
"If I don't punish you until it hurts, you'll never learn!"
"Today, I'm going to make an example of you!"