Kristen's expression remained calm, so calm that it startled Judith. She looked straight at her mother-in-law and spoke with firm resolve, every word clear and steady. "You should give up on this idea today. I won't go back with you. If you don't feel ashamed, then continue making a scene here. I'm not afraid."
Those words struck Judith like a slap.
For a moment, she was stunned. Kristen had never dared to talk back like this before. She had always lowered her head, endured silently, and swallowed every grievance. Now, standing there so straight-backed and unyielding, she felt like a completely different person.
Seeing that crying and rolling around no longer worked, Judith abruptly stopped her act.
She got up from the ground, brushed the dust off her clothes, and narrowed her eyes. "Fine. You don't want to go back? Then I'll take the child back." Her thoughts spun quickly. If she took Benjamin away, she believed Kristen would follow.
