Tonia's POV
Solace shoved me hard against the floor, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around my stomach. But she wasn't finished with her assault.
She climbed on top of me and began striking me relentlessly. Her fists connected with my face, my shoulders, anywhere she could reach. I was so concentrated on shielding my belly that I couldn't protect the rest of my body.
"Stop it, Mummy!"
"Leave her alone!"
The children grabbed at her, trying to pull her away from me.
"Don't you dare touch me!" She whirled around to face them, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "You should be supporting me, not her! I'm your mother! And this woman will never be anything more than an outsider. The sooner you understand that, the better off we'll all be."
My hands clenched into tight fists. Every fiber of my being wanted to strike back at her. But I couldn't even push myself up from the cold floor.
