“What did you say?! Fifteen years old?!” she shouted, advancing on Madison with a mixture of disbelief and rage. Her voice rang through the house.
“Mom, please…” Madison’s eyes brimmed with tears.
But Veronica was beyond listening. She grabbed Madison’s arm, dragging her to the center of the kitchen, forcing her to face the neighbors’ shocked stares.
“Look at her!” Veronica yelled. “Fifteen and already ruining her life! A disgrace to this house, to me, to everyone!”
Madison felt her world shatter. Whispers and sighs of pity filled the room, and every word her mother spat pierced her heart.
“You can’t stay here,” Veronica finally said, her voice icy. “If you’ve chosen to make your own life, then leave.”
Madison barely had time to grab a backpack. She left into the night, swallowing back tears, feeling small, ashamed, and betrayed. She had no idea where she would sleep or what awaited her, but something deep inside whispered that she had to keep going.