The pain wasn't just physical, it was emotional. His grandmother had never laid a hand on him before, and that alone drove home how deeply he'd failed them.
When she turned to her husband, the gesture cut even deeper. "Look what your grandson did," she said bitterly, as though disowning him with every word.
The old master sighed heavily, his expression weary, disappointment etched into every line of his face. He didn't need to speak; the silence was punishment enough.
Chibuzor felt the weight of their judgment pressing down on him like a stone on his chest.
Then his father, Mr. Obinna, finally broke the tense quiet. His tone was sharp but controlled. "Chibuzor, we need to fix this immediately, before the family ball. We can't afford this kind of scandal. It'll stain the family's name and everything we've built."
"You're one to talk," Chukwudubem muttered under his breath, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
The room froze.
