Chapter 8 11 288 Vouchers The entire living room was filled with crying , shouting , and accusatory voices blended into a chaotic , grating symphony . " You bastard ! " My father trembled with rage , grabbed a wine bottle from the table , and smashed it over Tommy's head . The bottle shattered on impact , blood and wine mixing as they ran down his temples . Tommy didn't seem to feel the pain . He just knelt there motionless . " Oh my goodness ! What a disaster for this family ! What a mess ! " Margaret cried , collapsing to the floor , pounding her chest and wailing in despair . Mom , however , fixed her gaze on Jessica , who was frozen in fear on the floor , eyes wide and stunned . Disappointment and anguish radiated from her . She stepped forward and slapped Jessica across the face with brutal force . " How could I give birth to someone so shameless ? " That slap was harder than the one I had struck her with . Jessica's face . swelled immediately , a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth . She clutched her face and finally let out her first real scream of the day . I watched the scene I had orchestrated unfold before me - my closest family turning against each other , my once - beloved husband and the sister I had cherished for over 20 years being spat on and humiliated like nothing more than animals . I should have felt satisfaction , but I didn't . Inside , I felt nothing but emptiness , a cold wind blowing through me . Chapter 8 298 Vouchers I went over to Marvin . He was terrified , cowering in a corner , eyes wide with shock , and unsure of what to do . He was just a child ; he knew nothing . He didn't know his birth had been part of a filthy scheme . He didn't know his birthday party was about to turn into a trial . I knelt down and held his small body in my arms for the last time . I patted his back gently , whispering in his ear , " Don't be afraid , Marv . " Then , I took his hand and led him to Jessica . Her hair was disheveled , her makeup smeared , and she looked utterly miserable . I put his hand into hers . " Jessica , " I said . " This is your son . I'm giving him back to you now . Jessica shuddered , yanking her hand away . Marvin stumbled back a few steps , dazed , looking at us in confusion . " No ... no ... " She shook her head in panic . " Annie , he's your son ! You gave birth to him ! " Even now , she was still lying . I smiled . " My son ? " I lifted my shirt , revealing the jagged scar from my C - section . " Yes , this scar is from what I endured for you . The day I gave birth , I nearly died from massive blood loss on the operating table , I endured the pain of engorged breasts , the sleepless nights , and the exhaustion all alone . " And you ? " I asked , staring at her . " Where were you ? Oh , that's right ! You were crying outside the delivery room , sobbing louder than anyone . " Jessica , when you cried , were you grieving for the child I almost lost , or grieving for yourself , for not experiencing the greatness of being a mother ? " Chapter 8 She gaped in despair , shaking her head . I didn't look at her again . 288 Vouchers I faced all my friends and family and took a deep bow . " I'm sorry for making a spectacle of myself . I hereby announce that from today , Tommy and I are officially divorced . This charade ends now . " Without another glance , I walked out of what had once been called " home . " Even when I heard the gut - wrenching screams , I didn't look back .