Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1235

"Mom, something's seriously wrong with Christie," Leroy said urgently, noticing how her expression had completely collapsed. It's like she's about to have a breakdown—we should stop arguing and just let her rest!"

Irene, pacing in circles and dabbing at her tears, wailed, "How could this happen to my sweet girl? She was fine just this morning! Christie, how am I supposed to go on if anything happens to you? I'm still counting on you to take care of me when I'm old!"

Leroy rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Mom? Christie's losing it, and all you can think about is who's going to fund your retirement? You've got to be the most selfish mother on the planet—all you ever think about is your own little world!"

Irene snapped, eyes wide. "You brat! You've got a lot of nerve talking to me like that! Don't forget that you've been bleeding Christie dry too! I'm your mother! I raised you, fed you, and gave you everything! Expecting my kids to support me is not a crime!"

She added, "And what about you? You're young, able-bodied, and still useless—Christie's a woman, and she's done more than you ever have! You're a disappointment!"

Leroy's face flushed red with shame. Her words stung like a slap, burning his pride. He hated being called weak, hated hearing that he was not a real man.

If anyone else had said that to him, he would have lashed out at them already, fists flying in rage.

"Fine! You're my mom, so I won't fight you on it," he growled. "You think I'm pathetic? That I'm not a man? That I'll never amount to anything? Great. Then I'll prove you wrong. I'll show you what I'm really made of!"

He grew more agitated by the second, face twisting in fury, then stormed out and slammed the door.

Irene chased after him, yelling, "You brat! Where do you think you're going? Don't you dare cause trouble!"

Somehow, Leroy had gotten his hands on a long kitchen knife, which he tucked into his hoodie. His eyes burned with rage.