HARDNESS

HARDNESS

I am the first to recover. I quickly pull down the shirt and carry her inside, Beatrice is there trying to coordinate hyper children.

She smiles in relief when she sees me, then her eyes fall on Prudy, her brows wrinkle and then realisation dawns on her.

“Is she..”

Her lover's daughter?

“Yes. This is Prudy. Prudy meet Beatrice. She’s mommy’s friend.”

Beatrice bends down and scoops her up. Hugging her tightly.

Prudy winces but quickly regains composure. My heart shattered as I watched.

A four year old was already this good at pretending, like her mother.

I won’t let that happen.

Without saying a word, I turn around and go back outside.

The ground slips from underneath me and i hold the wall to keep steady.

I dry heave.

“Here, water.” I hear Jessica say.

And I gratefully accept it. When I’m done rinsing my mouth, I feel rage press in my chest.

I scream.

“Its all my fault!”

“Hey, Hey, how is that your fault?”

“I left her with them. They