“Enough,” she said sharply, her voice cutting through the room like glass. “I said be quiet.”
Lily froze instantly.
The ball stopped.
Even Noah, sensing the shift, went still for a moment before letting out a small, uncertain sound.
For a second, the silence held.
Then Vanessa walked toward them, her steps slow but filled with irritation.
“You clearly don’t understand what discipline means,” she said coldly. “Maybe it’s time you learn.”
At first, Lily thought it was just another scolding. Something that would pass like the others.
But then Vanessa reached for her hand.
“Come on,” she said.
The tone wasn’t loud.
But it wasn’t kind either.
Confused, Lily followed, carefully lifting Noah into her arms as she had learned to do. The baby rested against her shoulder, his small fingers gripping her shirt.
They walked through the house, past the wide hallway, past the polished doors, and out into the backyard where the air felt cooler, quieter.
Lily’s steps slowed.
Because she knew where they were going.
“No… please…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “We didn’t do anything wrong…”
Vanessa didn’t respond.