Chapter 10: The Turning Point
During a short recess, Dustin intercepted Maya in the hallway. He looked broken, stripped of the corporate polish his mother had spent decades instilling in him.
""Maya... I didn't know it was that bad,"" Dustin stammered, his voice cracking. ""My mother said... she said it was just a trim to teach her a lesson.""
""You were in the house, Dustin,"" Maya said, her voice firm, free from hatred, but filled with absolute clarity. ""You chose not to see. You chose your mother's approval over your daughter's safety.""
""I love Lily,"" he whispered, tears welling in his eyes.
May you like
""Then prove it,"" Maya replied softly. ""Stand up for her. Even if it means standing up against your mother.""
Dustin stood alone in the quiet corridor as Maya walked back into the room, her words ringing in his head like a chapel bell.
