Just as I turned on the hot water, Yuna’s scream echoed from downstairs. My heart tightened, and I quickly shut off the water and rushed down
I saw Silas pulling a soaking wet Yuna out of the fish pond. As soon as Yuna was out, she pointed at Yael, crying, “Yael pushed me!”
Silas’s gaze turned sharp as a blade, his voice cold and cutting. “Yael, what did you do?!”
Yael’s face turned pale with fear. He stumbled backward, losing his footing and falling to the ground.
Alarmed, I rushed to shield Yael behind me.
Silas’s anger shifted to me, his voice booming like thunder. “Lena, is this the son you’ve raised? It’s no surprise he’s good for nothing!”
I felt Yael tug gently on the hem of my shirt behind me. His voice was weak and hesitant, but after a moment, he stammered, “I… I… I didn’t.”
Relief and heartbreak washed over me simultaneously. He had spoken–finally–but how much fear and injustice had he endured to utter those words?
I stood firm and defended him, “Yael says he didn’t do it. There must be some misunderstanding.”
Refusing to listen, Silas barked, “Yael, apologize to Yuna immediately!”
I scanned the area and spotted a surveillance camera nearby. “There’s a camera. Let’s check the footage first.”
Silas’s face darkened. “Are you implying that Yuna is lying?”
