She Who Sees Me as a Hypothetical Enemy

My boyfriend’s cousin went to live at his place after her divorce. Not only did she have a five-year-old, but she was even pregnant. She regarded my boyfriend as her support as if it were her right and blamed me for everything. She thought I had taken away her cousin.

At a family gathering one day, her son splashed a drink at me and yelled, "You’re not allowed to steal my dad!"

It happened suddenly, leaving everyone stunned. My parents and Charles Lisbon rushed over to wipe the sticky orange juice off my clothes while I looked at the angry child quietly, still in shock. He was only five years old, but he looked like his mother.

He was an adorable child, but at that moment, his eyes were full of anger. He was like a knight fighting for justice.

Selene Hecks, Charles' cousin, came over while pulling him along and said lightly, "Georgie, this isn't your dad; he's your uncle." She dragged him away without even a word of criticism or blame.

Mom was furious and shouted at her, "Stop! Apologize to my daughter! Is this how you discipline your child?!"

Selene was indifferent, and a frown married her face. She acted as if we were making trouble for no reason.

"He's still a child. What does he know?"

"Are you the same, then?" I asked back in a deep voice, my anger ignited as well.

My boyfriend's parents had also started with their chiding. They were not trying to persuade Selene and her child to apologize but were trying to get me to be more generous.

"Celia, let's not make a fuss with the child. It's a happy day for everyone today," they said, their words painting me like I was the one causing trouble unreasonably.

Today was the first time my family and Charles' were formally meeting each other, and every important relative was present. I even wore a dress that I usually would not wear for this meeting.

However, Georgie Morrison had now soaked my dress which cost over two thousand dollars with a beverage. I was furious. He did not even apologize.

The atmosphere began to sour.

At this time, my nephew, who was standing to the side, picked up a beverage and splashed it on Georgie.

Chaos descended as Selene screamed in shock, wiping the stain with a tissue before looking up to glare at us.

My cousin, Donald Crawford, rubbed his son's head and said, "He's still young and doesn't know any better. Just let it go."

It was an open counter-attack. Since they had been the ones to say it first, there was no way to refute it. The weight in my heart eased a little.

Charles pulled Georgie over and said to him seriously, "Apologize."

"No!" When Georgie saw how his uncle, who usually doted on him the most, was also lecturing him, he was more convinced that I was a bad woman. He ran over and pushed me hard, screaming, "Go away! Go away! I don't want you to be my aunt!"

In my head, a five-year-old child should be innocent and lively. Why did he have such a strong hatred towards others? It had to be because of the environment he grew up in!

I looked up at Selene, who was not far away. She was still standing there steadily and casually as if she did not care about anything.

My parents lost their temper. They pulled me away, grumbling as they walked, "I think we can forget about this relationship!"

Charles got anxious when he saw us leaving and pulled Georgie over to apologize to me.

"Charles, is this woman more important than your nephew?!" Selene had been nothing but calm before, but when she saw her son being treated so roughly, she immediately came over to protect him.

Charles' parents also rushed over to persuade him that this was no way to treat children.

When my parents saw this, they got even angrier and dragged me out of the restaurant with them.