The Fitness Coach Mother Broke Her Daughter With A Watch Chapter 07

“I’ll go.”

Dad glared at Mom, then followed the officer back to the office.

The officer took notes with a pen and notepad while Dad held Mia and tried to soothe her.

Mom stood in the hallway with her back against the wall.

Silently, she listened to their conversation.

“You came to school this morning with Chloe and your mom, right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“How did Chloe end up lying there?”

“Chloe… was running… and then she fell…”

“Did you and your mom go check on her?”

“Yes. Mom said Chloe was being lazy. She says that a lot, and Chloe really doesn’t meet the goals.”

“What happened after that?”

“Mom said Chloe was playing dead and told us not to bother with her.”

“Was Chloe pretending at the time?”

“Yes. She pulled my shoelace and made me fall.”

The medical examiner walked into the office.

“Detective Harris, the child’s estimated time of death is about five hours ago…”

His voice was not loud, but every person there heard him clearly.

Mom shot to her feet as if she had heard something shocking, then rushed into the office.

As if she had lost her mind, she raised her hand and started hitting Mia.

“You lied! That’s what you get for lying!”

“Mia Parker! I’ve been so good to you. I’ve loved you so much. Why would you lie?”

“Why would you hurt Chloe? Tell me!”

Everyone was startled by her sudden outburst.

Dad pulled Mia into his arms and shielded her.

The two officers grabbed Mom by the arms, one on each side, and stopped her.

Only after the scene was under control did Dad let go of Mia.

He pointed at Mom’s face and roared, “Claire Morgan, what the hell is wrong with you?”

“Chloe is already dead because of you, and that still isn’t enough? Now you want to ruin Mia too?”

“They are both your daughters. What grudge could you possibly have against them?”

“Have you forgotten how much you looked forward to each of them when you were pregnant? Have you forgotten how you said you would love them and treat them well?”

Dad’s words made Mom break down even more.

With one hand, she pointed at Mia. With the other, she grabbed an officer and looked at him as if begging for help.

“She’s lying! At noon, I asked her why Chloe hadn’t come to eat lunch.”

“She told me Chloe was mad at me, but now the medical examiner is saying Chloe was already dead by then!”

Mia hid behind Dad, too frightened to make a sound.

When Mom looked as if she was about to rush over and question Mia again, Dad

slapped her across the face.

“Have you made enough of a scene?”

“Mia is still so young. What could she possibly understand?”

“You did something wrong, and now you’re too afraid to take responsibility, so you want a child to take the blame for you?”

Every word from Dad landed hard on Mom.

That was right. Mia was young, but wasn’t I young too?

I was only ten years old.

I was still in elementary school.

How could I possibly have so many schemes in my head, being lazy one moment and playing dead the next?

Mom had simply been using an adult’s suspicion and mindset to judge everything I did all along.

Mom looked at my drawing on the office desk.

She took several deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.

“I’m really not trying to avoid responsibility. Mia told me those things herself.”

After that, she hardened her expression and spoke to Mia.

“Mia, you need to answer the questions I asked you earlier. Did you train on schedule, and did you lie? Tell the truth.”

“The police are right here. If you lie, they’ll take you away, and you’ll never see Mom and Dad again.”

Dad instinctively wanted to stop her.

But the moment he saw Mom shoot him a look, the words died in his throat.

The officers stayed silent too.

Mia looked at every person in the room.

After confirming that no one was contradicting Mom, she cried and told the truth, terrified that she might be taken away from her parents.