The teacher took a deep breath before she started. “Your daughter pushed Laila, and as a result of that, Laila got a cut on her hand.”
Melissa’s breath hitched. Her mind went blank for a second, unable to comprehend. “My daughter won’t do that,” she said defensively, her gaze shifting toward Pearl. She couldn't imagine her daughter being aggressive, especially with how gentle she usually was.
Laila’s mother huffed and held her daughter’s bandaged hand. “You mean my daughter did this to herself?” Her voice was sharp, accusatory.
“Miss Jones,” the teacher’s tone was firm but calm, “there were other children who witnessed it.”
The words struck Melissa like a blow. Her heart shattered, its pieces falling to the pit of her stomach. She turned slowly to Laila and her mother. "I’m really sor
