The Monster at My Feet novel Chapter 31

Helena's face instantly turned a mottled, furious red.

At the same time, a sharp, piercing pain shot through her arm right where Sylvie had grabbed her.

"Ah! Get the hell out of my way! Drop dead, you bitch!"

Driven mad by the sudden agony, she thrashed violently, using all her strength to shove Sylvie away.

But this time, she met no resistance.

The young girl was thrown back, stumbling and nearly crashing to the floor.

The grievance she had been desperately holding back finally erupted.

"Helena, I was only worried about you. Why do you hate me so much?"

Heavy tears spilled down her cheeks as she clutched her bruised shoulder, her eyes brimming with agony and despair.

Helena's hair was a disheveled mess, completely stripping her of her usual elegant, upper-class poise.

She raised her hand high, ready to slap Sylvie across the face.

Lydia stared in shock, instinctively grabbing Sylvie and pulling her back a few steps.

Lucas rushed forward, seizing Helena's arm in a vice grip.

"Mom! What the hell are you doing?"

Even Lawrence, who usually remained completely indifferent, couldn't stand by any longer.

"Helena! That's enough! Do you think we're blind?"

"You were the one who nearly fell, and Sylvie came over to help you. What kind of psychotic break is this?"

Helena's vision swam with dark spots, the absurdity of the situation almost making her want to laugh.

"Help me? I almost fell because she obviously set me up! Why else would there magically be a puddle of water right here?"

"She just whispered in my ear, cursing at me, and then she stabbed my hand with a needle!"

Shoving up her sleeve, she aggressively exposed the spot where she'd felt the stinging pain.

She fully expected her arm to be swollen, perhaps even dripping with blood.

But there was nothing.

It was slightly flushed at best, looking completely unharmed.

In contrast, Sylvie, who had just slammed against the wall, had an angry red ring around her exposed wrist that was already beginning to swell.

The young girl was crying so hard her entire body trembled.

Lydia patted Sylvie's back with a deeply conflicted expression, speaking in a soothing whisper.

"Luke, Mom is just acting out of anger right now, she didn't mean it. Go put some ice on your face."

She needed to separate these emotionally unstable people immediately, or things were going to spiral completely out of control.

Lucas breathed heavily, refusing to listen. He was about to yell again when he felt a gentle tug on the hem of his shirt.

He turned his head.

Sylvie, her eyes red from crying, stood there holding an ice pack. She spoke softly.

"Listen to Lydia. Come ice your face, or it's going to swell up tomorrow."

Just seconds ago, Lucas's heart had been racing with all-consuming rage, but now an indescribable softness washed over him.

For a stubborn, rebellious teenager, he surprisingly yielded without a fight, obediently following Sylvie to the side of the room.

Lydia gave Sylvie a grateful glance, breathing a sigh of relief before turning back to soothe Helena.

"Mom, you might just be startled, or having a trauma response. It's okay, you're not hurt."

Helena's expression twisted in pure hatred.

"I told you, she's faking it! Are you telling me you didn't hear her call me a bitch?"

Lydia hesitated, unable to agree with her, and was forced to change the subject.