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Linda trembled with rage."You wretch,how can the kid be yours?"
"Exactly,how can it mine?Why come to me instead of the father?"
My quick retort left Linda speechless,her face went pale.
A lifetime ago,at the station,Sophie insisted I took her to the bar,drugged her.
No matter my evidence or explanations,Linda believed her daughter.Without my drugs,her good girl wouldn't stray.
Funny—she never considered bad parenting.
The police investigated and told her nothing could support what her daughter said.I'd prepared evidence—I was elsewhere on the day Sophie claimed I drugged her;and I never once went a bar.
Sophie mumbled a bar's name.The owner was summoned,confirming I was never there.
Linda and Sophie threw a fit outside the station,yelling about injustice and bias.
I stepped past them.Linda grabbed my clothes."You can't leave—you're responsible for my daughter."
I shook her off."Lady,is her kid mine?If it is,I'd take responsibility."
"You drugged her,got her pregnant.Your family's rich—pay up."
I sneered at her greed.
"My family's rich,so I owe you for her pregnancy?If you die,do we owe hyou a coffin too?"
Linda lunged to hit me.My parents arrived.
Mom rushed over,shielding me.
"Don't you dare touch my daughter."
Mom,radiant and poised,sparked envy in Linda's eyes,then mockery."No wonder you're rich.You look like you do shady business—what kind of daughter could you raise?"
Mom only laughed."Lady,this is a police station.Slander me,and I'll report you.Officers are all watching"
Linda opened her mouth but backed off,wary after whagt happened with Greg.
"My Emily's too young for bars!"
Mimicking Linda's tone,Mom defended me.Linda snapped,"How could you know what she does privately?"
"And you know what your daughter does?"
Linda was speechless.Mom continued,"Plus,that bar your daughter named is low-end.My Emily wouldn't go there even if she does drink.Teach your daughter how to behave.If she keeps framing mine,this won't end easily."
Mom,a corporate leader,spoke with authority.Sophie tugged Linda,fearing a lawsuit.
I sneered inwardly.Scared now?
In the rearview mirror,I saw Linda slap Sophie,who cried,glaring venomously at me when we drove off.
"Mom,you're awesome!"
Mom held her chin up proudly."Don’t need you to tell me."
Gazing at passing scenery,I asked,"Mom,if they'd beaten me to death,what would you do?"
