Lucia’s slap almost knocked me out. Who would have guessed that she would learn about our arrival and came as soon as possible? I was almost asleep when I heard a knock, and assuming that it was Christian, I immediately went to check. I massaged the cheek where she slapped me and winced in agony.

“Mama,” I mumbled but another slap hit my face, and then she aimed for my hair so I screamed. Catherine just watched us and she didn’t do anything stop Lucia from hurting me.

“Stop it!” Christian interfered as soon as he entered the cottage and dashed towards his mother. He was just right in time...