Chapter 2 In the principal's office , he poured us water . I didn't touch the water he offered , only reassembled the torn paper on his desk . Then I pulled my daughter's hand forward , displaying the deep red scratch marks on her wrist before his eyes . He stared at the paper and the wounds for a long time before looking up at me , speaking each word deliberately , " This is our fault . Please give me three days . The school will thoroughly investigate and handle this seriously . In three days , I guarantee we'll give you and your child an explanation . " I looked at his face , a mixture of apology and shocked anger , then looked down at Lily , who was drowsy in my arms . " Alright , " I said . " I'll wait three days . " I took time off work to stay with Lily , who didn't cry or speak but just sat in the corner , staring motionless at a spot on the wall . When I pushed the bowl to her lips , she would open her mouth , chew , swallow - all without blinking once . I stared at my phone , unlocking the screen every few seconds to confirm there were no missed calls . All my hope was pinned on that phone call that would never come . On the third afternoon , the school didn't call , but I received a call from the company's HR Director . " Susan , come to the office immediately . " In the office , both my supervisor and the director were there . A printed email was pushed in front of me , its title glaring : " Regarding Your Employee Susan Manning's Moral Misconduct and Malicious Defamation of Our School's Teachers . " I read it word by word . In the email , I had become a " crazy woman " who barged into offices , verbally abused teachers , and threatened the principal . The scratch marks on my daughter's wrist became evidence that I had coached her to " self - harm Chapter 2 Download 1.64 % for sympathy . " At the end of the letter , the school " kindly " reminded the company that an employee with such " moral corruption " would damage corporate reputation . The edges of the paper crumpled under my grip . " The email was sent to the public complaint inbox . The entire corporation received it , " the director said without a trace of warmth . " We take employee character very seriously . ' I felt ice - cold all over , my voice shaking . " This is false accusation ! They bullied my daughter ... " " Enough ! " My supervisor impatiently cut me off . " I don't care about your family drama ! Your personal problems have affected the company's image ! Completely unprofessional ! " I looked at him without speaking . Uncomfortable under my gaze , he shifted as the director cleared his throat and pushed a document toward me . " Given the negative impact you've caused the company , sign this . " I reached out but couldn't seem to grasp the paper as it slipped from my fingers and fluttered to the floor . I returned home in a daze . When I found certified mail from the school in the mailbox and tore it open , an expulsion notice fell out , claiming Lily was psychologically unstable , had conspired with parent to fabricate facts , maliciously attacked teacher , and disrupted educational order . My phone lit up with a class group chat message . Linda had posted a new photo of the Advanced Mathematics Competition class , her and the children smiling brilliantly . Caption : [ With the troublemaker removed , we're an excellent group again ! Victory belongs to you ! ] Below were parents ' uniform praise and likes . [ Linda , you've worked so hard ! ] [ Support Linda ! No rules , no order ! ] I laughed . Chapter 2 1.64 % This was their explanation to me . Holding the termination letter and expulsion notice , looking at that glaring photo , I laughed until tears came , laughed until my whole body shook , my abdomen cramping with pain . " Mommy ? " Lily stood behind me , looking at the two papers in my hands . Her gaze moved from the expulsion decision to my tear - streaked face . Her body swayed , and she had to grab the doorframe to steady herself . " Mommy , " she asked softly , her voice hollow , " is it because of me that you lost your job too ? " Chapter 2 1.64 % 4