Ruth's expression darkened the moment the words left Gwendolen's mouth.
"Gwendolen, what more do you want?" she snapped. "I've already slapped my son and given him an earful. This matter should be settled. Don't push your luck!"
I laughed bitterly to myself.
They thought one slap and a few harsh words could erase everything? That it would be enough to make me let it go?
I shook my head slowly, enunciating every word.
"Some things aren't settled just because you say they are."
Elmer had been seething the entire time. My words lit the fuse.
"Gwendolen, don't push it!" he snarled. "Today's score? I'll settle it with you sooner or later!"
I looked at him, still clinging to his delusions, and almost found it funny.
Five years. What exactly had I married?
"You've been played," I said. "You know that, right?"
Elmer scoffed. "Played? By who?"
"Oh, I've been played, all right. But the person who played me was you, Gwendolen!" His voice rose. "Don't try to twist the narrative!"
I didn't bother wasting more breath on him.
Instead, my gaze drifted to the corner of the room, where Lorraine was quietly trying to slip away. She'd taken a phone call just minutes ago, and the color had drained from her face instantly. Now she kept her head down, inching toward the exit.
She'd barely taken two steps before I called out.
"No rush, Lorraine. Come here. Let's have a chat."
She froze mid-step, her entire body going rigid. She stood there for a long moment, not even daring to turn around.
Elmer rushed forward, planting himself between us like a shield.
"Gwendolen, this is between you and me. Leave her out of it!" He squared his shoulders. "What do you want with her?"
I studied the way he guarded her, and a knowing smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
"You're not just ignorant, Elmer. You're genuinely stupid."
"You dare insult me?!"
He was gearing up for another outburst, but I cut him off.
"Are you sure this has nothing to do with her?"
His eyes flickered. A crack in the armor. Hesitation.
But he doubled down, jaw tight. "That's right. It has nothing to do with her. You have a problem, you take it up with me!"
Colin and Ruth were frantic now, grabbing their son's arms, trying to shut him up. But Elmer had lost all reason. He wrenched free from their grip and roared at me again.
"Is there anything else you want to say?!"
The words had barely left his mouth when the doors swung open.
