My Dreamy Old Husband

Michael was holding Carmen’s hand as they were about to leave when he stopped dead in his tracks upon hearing it. He turned his head back and stared at Ashton, his eyes welled with raging fury.

He was still a gentle, loving father two seconds ago before his raw furor got the better of him.

“Ashton… what did you just say?”

Ashton was taken aback by the sudden outburst of Michael’s rage, but he hugged his father’s leg and summoned the courage to speak the truth. “Al had lifted Mel and Lulu’s skirts before, and this time, he tried to take off Carmen’s pants!”

Hope, who was in Harry’s arms, suddenly blurted out, “Judgey was right to bite Al. Mommy said those who lift girls’ skirts are bad people, and bad people deserve to be bitten!”

After both toddlers spoke their minds, the room was momentarily silent. A sudden realization hit Sophia as her face turned pale and tears streamed down her face beyond control.

Michael felt his body trembling before he quietly carried Carmen into the sports equipment room, leaving everyone outside. No one was allowed to enter except Sophia and Sarah.

In the equipment room, Sophia held Carmen softly and asked, “Baby, about what Ashton and Hope said earlier, was it true? Did Al try to take off your pants?”

Carmen was still in shock over what happened earlier today. With a face filled with pity, she looked at her mother and nodded as she answered, “He even took off other kids’ pants and skirts. He tried to do the same to me yesterday, but I didn’t let him, and then Hope and Ashton beat him up. Daddy said not to let others take off my skirt. Only bad people do that. I went home and told Judgey, so it brought its puppies to bite Al.”

Sophia listened to Carmen with sighs between her breaths. She felt as if her body had frozen from the disturbing realization of what had happened. Michael, who was standing next to her, grimaced in silence.

“Come, Carmen. Let me see,” whispered Sophia as she carefully lifted Carmen’s skirt with her pale, trembling hands and saw a white-colored shorts with bear prints.

Carmen then raised her skirt further and revealed her stomach. She pointed at two scratch marks on her tummy and thighs, which was thankfully not deep, and said, “Here, look at this, and this. Al and Daryl kept wanting me to take my pants off, but I wouldn’t let them. So they kept forcing me, and I got scratched. Judgey then came in and bit Al.”

Michael also observed the two scratch marks on Carmen’s tummy and thigh. They looked shallow and were probably made by children.

He kept gazing at them, not realizing that the veins on his forehead were popping out.

had any idea how a trivial matter like this drove

been an innocent prank among children who did not know better,

and trauma never left her until her

this close to going back out to clobber that little monster there and

cheeks. She then turned to Michael and uttered, “Michael, please bring Carmen to get checked at the hospital. As for those that are outside… I’ll take care of

before he turned back abruptly and gave his wife a hug as he said, “Wait for me to come home.” After that, he continued his way out as his vision got

shoulders when she waved at

smile and replied,

strolled

you still angry

bullies you again, don’t send Judgey—tell me instead. I will come and bite them

three years ago to scam her insurance company, and now, she’s come back with another identity! She weaseled her way into the Mitchell Family and took over Old Master Mitchell’s fortune. She even tried

remained everyone’s concern was the fact that Sophia’s dog had injured Albert. This incident had

spewing to the crowd for he had seen his fair share of pointless provocations in his life.

walked out with Carmen

Carmen’s tender voice. He instantly turned in her direction and said, “Carmen, baby, how are you feeling? Do you feel pain anywhere? If you do, you have

lay on Michael’s shoulder and replied, “I don’t

Cooper, I’ll leave this matter here to you. I’m bringing

before he ordered someone to escort

Michael leaving and hurriedly caught up with him. “Stop right there.

hospital without further delay. Sandra stomped her heels and cried out, “Do you think you all can get away with this? You’ve

in the equipment room. All that was in her mind was the two scratch marks on her poor baby’s tummy and thighs. She could feel the pain from those scratch marks in her very own

years old. How