The story continues

“I told you she’d come back. Now he’ll see for himself what a mess you’ve made.” I looked at the broken cup. Then at my mother’s hands. They were red. Not from the hot tea. From the blows. A cold anger slowly began to rise in my chest. “Karolina,” I said calmly. “Put the spoon down.” She frowned. “Michał, you don’t understand. She—” “Put it down.” This time I said it firmly. The spoon clattered to the table. Karolina crossed her arms. “Are you really going to defend her?” Her voice turned icy. “After everything she does?” I turned to my mother. “Mom—” Finally, she raised her eyes. And I saw something in them I’ll never forget. Fear. But not for herself. For me. “Michał, everything’s okay,” she said quickly. “I just dropped the cup. Karolina got angry, but it’s my fault—” “She’s lying,” Karolina interrupted coldly. “I’m fed up with that old woman. She keeps ruining everything.” The room grew so quiet I could hear my own breathing. “This is my home,” Karolina continued. “And I don’t have to put up with her here.” I slowly turned my head. “Your home?” She narrowed her eyes. “Of course. Or maybe you’ve forgotten who organizes everything here? Who cares about your reputation? Who—” “The house is in my name.” She smiled mockingly. “Technically, yes.”