Mom was taken aback by my words. She moved towards Zain to confirm the situation. Observing Zain's back, she then turned to the teacher.

"What is going on?" Mom asked.

He's attempting to justify himself. "I...it was a mistake. I didn't intend to use this much force..." the teacher stuttered. It's evident that he's afraid of Mom's reaction.

"Don't lie to us. You consistently mistreat Zain, using teaching methods as a shield to justify your actions," I asserted.

Before he could react, I interrupted him. I'm determined not to let him sway Mom's perception this time.

"Mom, I've brought this up before. However, you guys never listen, even though you noticed the bruises on Zain's body before. Now, he is beating Zain until he bleeds. Who knows what he might do next?"

His face is fuming with anger that he could explode any second. I mean It's obvious to see his trembling and stuttered words, "Y...y...you..."

He restrained himself quite well from doing anything to me, because Mom is present. Otherwise, he might have struck me as well.

"That's enough," Mom said, bringing the discussion to a close.

Both of us glanced at Mom, while the tutor wore a smile on his face. He is confident that Mom would take his side.

I watched her silently and hoped she wouldn't make the wrong decision. To my relief, Mom didn't shatter my wish. 

"Thank you for everything you've done for my children, but I'll have to let you go," Mom stated.

He was clearly taken aback by Mom's decision. He never imagined that Mom would take such action, perhaps not even in his dreams. I mean, this was how he always managed to sway my parents. So like always, in an attempt to alter Mom's decision, he began to speak, "Ma'am, wait..."

However, Mom cut him off coldly. "I'll have my husband settle your tuition fees for this month."

With that, he fell silent. Mom even escorted him to the door, signaling him to leave. He shot me a furious look before exiting the house.

Finally, Mom listened to me this time. I was genuinely happy, but my joy barely lasted for 5 minutes. Mom abruptly turned me towards her and slapped me.

Confused as I was, I still questioned her, "Why?"

"What you did today was too much," her eyes filled with so much anger that it left me shocked and bewildered.

"What?!"

"You argued with others, used foul language. How will you explain this to your father when he returns?"

I was completely taken aback by the way she was blaming me. Though this wasn't new, I wanted to explain, "But he was the one at fault..."

"You just need to tell us everything," she interrupted me before I could finish speaking.

I frowned at her, "I've tried to explain before, but you never hear me out. You guys always..."

"Enough. Complete your assignment or have dinner, it's your choice."

Without further delay, she took Vivi and Zain out of the room.

"Haha. I'm such an idiot." I laugh at myself for momentarily forgetting what kind of household I live in, where my opinions and concerns never hold any weight. If my opinion had been given even the smallest consideration, perhaps the events of years past could have never happened.

Mom told everything to Dad when he returned. While he didn't say much to me, his expression clearly expressed his displeasure at my actions.

What had I expected? Even during dinner, I wanted to delude myself into believing that they might overlook the incident. I simply wanted to be in the happiness of having been able to assist Vivian and Zain.

However, a wave of fear overtook me as soon as I entered my room. Dad was there, his intense gaze causing me to freeze. Even without looking at his eyes, my body trembled with fear.

"I've been informed by your mother about what happened today."

I remained silent. I know that he didn't come here to praise me.

"Have you forgotten all that you've been taught?"

I held my tongue, afraid of saying any word.

"Why the silence now?" His shout made me flinch. Gritting my teeth, I struggled to compose myself and said, "I'm sorry."

"You seem to have lost your manners. Do you need a refresher?"

His words drained the color from my face. "I apologize. It won't happen again."

He didn't say anything further, simply staring at me for a few more moments before leaving my room.

As he left, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I almost fell because of its weight but managed to remain upright. I'll never expose my vulnerability. So I retreated to bed and lay down.

...sigh...

My friends often talk about how fathers protect their children. But what about mine? What does that say about my family, about my parents?

I could think about these things, but it's too much for me right now. It's nighttime, a time for sleep and dreams. I'll let the darkness cover me. Even my dreams can be much better than reality.