Mom was taken aback by my words. She moved towards Zain to confirm the situation. Observing Zain's back, she then turned to the teacher.

"What is going on?" Mom asked.

He is quite nervous. It's clear that he's afraid of how Mom will take this situation, and I can tell he's thinking of something to justify himself.

"I... it was a mistake. I didn't intend to use this much force..."

"Don't lie. You consistently abuse Zain and always use teaching methods as a shield to justify your actions."

But this time, I won't let him do as he wishes. I can't let this opportunity go. I won't let him sway Mom's perception this time.

Before he can say anything, I start talking.

"Mom, I've told you this before. However, you guys never listen, even though you noticed the bruises on Zain's body. Now, he is beating Zain until he bleeds. Who knows what he might do next?”

His face was fuming with anger, as if he might explode at any second. It became more obvious when I saw him trembling and stuttering.

"Y...you... No, ma'am, it's nothing like that."

If Mom weren't here, he might have struck me as well. He restrained himself quite well.

"That's enough," Mom said, bringing the discussion to a close.

Both of us glanced at Mom, while the tutor wore a smile on his face. He was confident that Mom would take his side.

But I just watched her silently.

Please, Mom, don't make the wrong decision.

"Thank you for everything you've done for my children, but you don't have to teach my kids anymore."

Mom didn't shatter my expectations when she said that.

He was clearly taken aback by Mom's decision. He never imagined that Mom would take such action, perhaps not even in his dreams.

I mean, he always managed to sway my parents. So, like always, in an attempt to alter Mom's decision, he began to say, "Ma'am, wait..."

However, Mom cut him off coldly. "I'll have my husband settle your tuition fees for this month.”

With that, he fell silent. Mom even pointed to the door for him to leave. He looked at me furiously before leaving the house.

Finally,

Mom listened to me this time. I am genuinely happy. Now I need to put some ointment on Zain's back and 

Slap...

but my joy didn't last for 5 minutes. Mom turned to me and slapped me.

I have no idea what just happened. Why did she slap me? I looked at her and questioned, 

"Why did you….." 

But her eyes were filled with so much anger that it left me shocked and bewildered. 

"What you did today was too much," 

"What?!" 

"You argued with others and used foul language. How will you explain this to your father when he returns?" 

I was completely taken aback by what she was talking about and the way she was blaming me. 

"But he was the one at fault…”

"You just need to tell us everything," she interrupted me before I could finish speaking.

When I heard her say that, it made me angry, and I frowned at her.

"I've told you guys before, but you never hear me out. You guys always..."

"Enough. Complete your assignments or have dinner; it's your choice."

Without further delay, she took Vivi and Zain and left the room.

Haha. I'm such an idiot. What did I expect?

I laughed at myself for momentarily forgetting what kind of household I live in. Though this wasn't anything new.

Here, my opinions and concerns never hold any value. If they had given even the smallest consideration to my opinion, perhaps that thing would have never happened.

Mom told everything to Dad when he returned. While he didn't say much to me, his expression clearly conveyed his displeasure at my actions.

Really, what had I expected from them? Even during dinner, I wanted to convince myself that they might overlook the incident.

I simply wanted to bask in the happiness of having been able to help Vivian and Zain.

However, a wave of fear overtook me as soon as I entered my room.

Dad was there, intensely looking at me. Even without looking into his eyes, my body started to tremble with fear.

"I've been informed by your mother about what happened today.”

I remained silent. I knew that he didn't come here to praise me.

"Have you forgotten all that you've been taught?"

I held my tongue. I was afraid of saying any word.

However, staying silent was a mistake because it made him angrier, and he started to shout.

"Why the silence now?"

I gritted my teeth; my hands and feet became cold. I barely composed myself and said, 

"I'm sorry."

"You seem to have lost your manners. Do you need a refresher?"

His words drained the color from my face.

"I apologize. It won't happen again.”

He didn't say anything further, simply staring at me for a few more minutes before leaving my room.

As he left, a wave of exhaustion covered me. I almost fell because my leg went limp, but I managed to remain upright.

I'll never expose my vulnerability. Never.

I retreated to bed and lay down.

Sigh...

My friends often talk about how fathers protect their children. But what about mine? What does that say about my family?

About my... parents?

I could think about these things, but it's too much for me right now. I look at the clock. It's nighttime, a time for sleep and dreams for everyone.

But for me, it's for the darkness that has already covered me.

Yet, these dreams can be much better than reality.