Daniel’s face froze solid in an instant.
He let go of Carla’s still‑bleeding wound and swept her into his arms without a second thought.
Marian refused to accept this. Swelling with indignant rage, she threw herself in front of him to block his path. "What about Carl? Are we just going to let this go? What about me..."
"Get out of my way!" Daniel’s eyes burned red with fury, and he shoved her aside hard. He sprinted out the door, clutching Carla’s pain‑racked body tight against his chest.
Somehow, Carl sensed that something terrible had happened to his mother. Overcoming his fear, he ran after them.
He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Mom! Mom, what’s wrong?"
But before he could reach the car, Marian grabbed him firmly by the arm. "Huh, I’ve finally got you!"
Carl’s eyes went wide
