Anita's suspicion only grew as she studied her daughter. She reached out and pressed her palm against Violet's forehead, checking her temperature, but finding nothing unusual. Her expression hardened as she slowly withdrew her hand.
"Take off the scarf, Violet," she said, her voice carrying a firmness that left little room for argument.
Violet's heart thundered in her chest. She glanced towards Henry, who stood a short distance away, watching the exchange with growing unease. He took a step forward, intending to intervene, but one sharp look from Anita was enough to silence him.
"I wasn't—" Violet began.
"I won't ask you again," Anita warned.
Knowing there was no escaping her mother's demand, Violet reluctantly loosened the scarf around her neck. She watched Anita's expression turn cold the moment the bruised marks came into view.
Anita slowly lifted her gaze to Henry, disbelief and anger written across her face.
