DEBORAH'S POV
"I didn't sleep my way to anywhere. I made one mistake, and I've paid for it every day since."
"One mistake?" Margaret laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Is that what you call destroying a man's career and reputation? Is that what you call breaking up a family?"
The words hit their mark. I thought about Principal Ernest Brooks, about his wife, about the way he'd looked at me that last day before he resigned. I thought about the shame and guilt I'd been carrying for days now.
"You have no idea what you're talking about," I said, but my voice sounded weak even to my own ears.
"I know exactly what I'm talking about. And I know what kind of example you're setting for your daughter. Let's just hope she doesn't end up like you."
The mention of Charlotte was too much. I felt something snap inside me, and before I knew what I was doing, my fist was flying toward Margaret's face.
