At the hospital, the atmosphere felt as if it had been compressed, every breath carrying tension like a heavy weight. Even though Margaret could hear Richard’s voice, she acted as if she hadn’t. She waved her hand dismissively, her tone sharp and biting: “Richard, what are you doing here? Who do you think you are, daring to give orders to our family? A criminal just released from prison, and you think you can bully us?”
Sophie stepped closer to Elena, her hand raised as if to snatch Rosa out of her mother’s arms. Her voice was high-pitched, almost piercing, as she shouted while advancing: “Give us the girl! Rosa is a Marshall family granddaughter! If you don’t have the right to take care of her, I do, and no one can stop me!”
Elena gripped Rosa tightly, the little girl trembling as she c
