"Karen's sister-in-law really does think of everything. It's true—now's not the time to take Leo outside."
Ruby fixed her gaze on me. "Until your father-in-law's surgery is done, you two should just stay put at home."
"Besides, I haven't been in the mood to cook lately. You can pitch in more around the house—keep yourself busy instead of overthinking."
"I'm not in the mood to cook either." I kept my voice steady. "How about this—why don't we all go out together as a family? Everyone can help keep an eye on Leo. Nothing will happen."
I added pointedly, "I'll pay for it."
My sister-in-law's voice dripped with mockery. "Karen, do you really think no one can see through your little schemes?"
"You won't even buy yourself new clothes for the New Year, but suddenly you want to treat the whole family to an outing?"
"Who's going to believe that?"
"You just want to take Leo and run."
"You're that desperate to let Dad die? If Finn weren't so frail, I wouldn't have needed anyone to ask—I'd have volunteered him for the kidney donation myself."
She delivered this with such righteous conviction that Ruby's expression hardened.
Ruby's eyes bored into me. "Karen, is this any way to behave?"
"Leo carries the James bloodline. What's wrong with him helping his own grandfather?"
"How can you be so selfish?"
"Leigh, this is your fault. You've spoiled her rotten."
Slap.
Without warning, my husband's palm cracked across my face. "Why can't you just cooperate?"
"I'm the one not cooperating?"
I grabbed my bowl and hurled it to the floor, porcelain exploding across the tiles. "Who's been running herself ragged since your father got sick?"
"Who's handled every single thing in this household, big and small, for years?"
"Leigh, I get it—you don't dare say a word against your mother. Fine."
"But this?"
"Now they want to carve out your son's kidney. There are two grandsons in this family. We agreed to leave it to fate."
"And what do the rest of you do?"
"Is it because I'm an orphan? Because I have no family to back me up? Because the man standing beside me is useless?"
"And now you hit me and call me unreasonable?"
"Look at your brother's family—always bragging about their million-dollar deals. Have they ever shown an ounce of gratitude?"
I jabbed my finger at Leigh. "When this family had nothing, you dropped out of school so Jason James could get an education."
"When he wanted to start his business, you told me we'd scrimp and save to fund it."
"And now?"
"That ungrateful bastard lives in a mansion, drives a luxury car—has he ever once asked if you were dead or alive?"
"Has he paid back a single cent of what we gave him?"
The rage boiled over. I turned on Ruby. "And you—I've swallowed your favoritism on everything else."
"But not this. When there's money, you hand it to Jason."
"Why is it that whenever there's trouble, his family gets to hide like cowards?"
"When I gave birth, you couldn't be bothered to help. The second his wife got pregnant, you couldn't wait to move in with them. And now you want to drain my son's blood? Over my dead body."
"Leigh, you're right—I don't know my place. If I did, I never would have married into this godforsaken village."
"Let me make this perfectly clear: I want a divorce."
"Leo stays with me. None of you will ever lay a finger on him again."
I stormed toward the door. I had to get to my son first.
Ruby's face went cold. "Look at the wife you picked. I told you—no education, nothing but a shrew."
My sister-in-law's voice pitched with alarm. "Mom, forget that—she's trying to run!"
"What are you standing there for?" Ruby shoved Leigh forward.
"Mom, when have I ever let you down?" Leigh watched my retreating back with an unsettling calm. "I hid Leo hours ago. She won't find him."
"Besides—" His lips curled. "The front gate's already locked. She's not going anywhere."
