Chapter 20

Serena, trembling, clutched a houseplant, her lips tight. "What now? Will Mom be mad? I've only been in kindergarten two days, and I already caused trouble… I hit Sonny, but I didn't mean to hurt him. He was picking on me. I scratched him. I don't want him to be my brother anymore. I don't like him anymore."

Footsteps pounded closer. The principal's door creaked open. Stella's eyes lit up. "Dominick!" she cried, leaping from the couch and racing towards him, pigtails bouncing.

Dominick scooped her up. His gaze darted to Grayson, relief flooding his face when he saw his son unharmed. He gently set Stella down and examined Grayson's neck. Michelle rushed in.

"It's nothing, just scratches," Michelle said, her voice shaky. "The school doctor treated it."

"Nothing?" Marissa's voice was sharp. "How did this happen? What if there are viruses under those nails? His neck is full of nerves, arteries…"

Michelle's anxiety grew. The small incident was escalating. Every teacher glared at Serena, who flinched, shrinking behind the plant.

Dominick, calm amidst the chaos, carefully unwrapped the bandage. Two small, shallow cuts, clean and treated. He sighed, re-bandaging the wound. Julian's description had painted a far worse picture. He'd imagined the worst, but it was minor.

"It's my fault," Dominick thought. "If it were serious, they'd have sent him to the hospital."

"Daddy, it hurts," Grayson whimpered, clutching his neck, his eyes red-rimmed.

Dominick's expression hardened. Since when did I raise such a soft child?

Marissa scooped Grayson up. "Don't worry, Sonny. We'll go to the hospital." Her voice was soothing.

Dominick didn't agree with the fuss, but watched Grayson cling to Marissa.

Feeling neglected, Stella declared, "Aunt Marissa, Dominick, that mean kid hurt me and Sonny!" She pointed at Serena. The accusation ignited the room.