Chapter 10 "River, please forgive us." Spencer hung his head low, slapping himself hard across the face. "River, I know I was wrong. I was deceived by Agnes. I shouldn't have done those things to hurt you, okay?" Skyler approached, his voice hoarse and bitter. I said nothing, momentarily unable to recall who these people were. Just as I was about to speak, my mother shielded me behind her, swinging her arm wide. Then, she landed several hard slaps on both of them. "Smack! Smack!" The blows nearly knocked the two grown men off their feet. "So it was you two who did all those cruel things to my River?" my mother shouted angrily, tears welling in her eyes. "How dare you hurt my baby!" Yelling furiously, she handed her purse to my father, then took off her high heels and started hitting the two men with them. Stephen and his wife were so frightened they stumbled backward. Despite being beaten, Spencer and Skyler didn't utter a word of protest; they just kept apologizing over and over again. A few minutes later, my mother was finally exhausted from hitting them and she patted her chest while taking deep breaths. 'River, let's go! Today is your enrollment day and we haven't even finished touring the campus We mustn't let disgusting people ruin our good mood!" After speaking, she gently took my hand and lovingly patted my back. Don't be afraid, my dear. Mommy will always be here to protect you and from now on, no one vill ever hurt you again!" With a reassuring smile, she promised, then led me onto the campus. Behind us, I could hear the choking apologies of the Saint Family fade away. My heart felt completely unmoved. Because in this moment, I had my loving mother. I had my oving family. didn't need their apologies and I certainly didn't need their cheap, worthless love. The End)