Zina POV
The door to my room shut behind me with a soft thud, but it felt like the sound echoed in my chest. I pressed my back against the wood, struggling to steady my breathing. Trina's harsh words rang in my ears like a cruel melody I couldn't escape.
"You ruined everything, Zina. You don't deserve kindness."
What had I done? What could I have possibly done to make her hate me so much? The memory of Mrs. Blackstone stepping in to stop her from slapping me only made my stomach twist more. Trina's anger hadn't just been an outburst—it was something deep, something raw. Something I didn't understand.
My eyes darted across the room to where Asher sat on the floor, his small hands carefully stacking colorful blocks. He was humming softly, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside me.
"Mommy?" he asked, his little voice breaking through my thoughts. "Are you okay?"
