Whispers of vengeance

Mrs. Clara had always believed that she had raised her daughter, Joanna well. She taught her the value of integrity, patience, and self-respect, the kind of lessons every mother wished her daughter would carry into womanhood. But all that changed the day Joanna walked into the sitting room one evening and said Mum, I'm pregnant.

The words Joanna said felt like a strange bullet in Mrs. Clara's heart, she froze. Pregnant? she repeated, voice shaking. By who?

Mr. Leo Wong, she said softly.

For a moment, the world stopped.

Mr. Leo? You mean my friend's husband? She screams, tell me you are joking Joanna. How will you do that, Joanna! Mrs. Clara shouted, her voice breaking. How will you bring this kind of disgrace to me? To yourself!

Joanna shrugged lightly, unbothered. It already happened Mum. There's no need to shout.

No need to ....? Mrs. Clara's voice cracked. You had an affair with my best friend's husband! You ruined everything, our name, my friendship, your future and you said no need to shout?

Joanna rolled her eyes. You're so dramatic mum. Maybe if you'd ever think about our future, we will not be poor in the first place. You and your endless advice about pride and dignity, where did it get us?

Mrs. Clara gasped, her hand flew to her chest. Joanna, do you even hear yourself talk?

I hear myself perfectly, Joanna says coolly. And I'm tired of living on your moral lectures. For once, I did something for myself. For us. You should be thanking me.

Mrs. Clara's face twisted in disbelief. Thank you? For destroying my life? For betraying my friend? Someone that had always seen you as her daughter, she paid for your education till the end, gave you everything she gave her own children and this is how you pay her back?

Joanna folded her arms, her lips curving into a mocking smile. Mum, please. Stop acting like a saint. You've been serving Aunty Elizabeth all your life like she's royalty. You have already paid her back for all her kindness, what more does she want?

Now, I'm pregnant with Mr. Leo's child everything will change. We'll never be poor again.

Joanna! Mrs. Clara cried, shaking with rage. You shameless child!

SLAP!

The sound echoed through the room like thunder. Mrs. Clara's palm burns, but her heart burns more.

Joanna's head jerked slightly from the slap, but she didn't cry. She didn't even flinch for long. Still holding the part of her face that was aching, slowly turn her face back toward her mother, eyes glinting with defiance.

This is the last time you'll ever hit me, she says quietly. I'm not your little girl anymore.

The words sliced through Mrs. Clara like glass. She stumbled backward, tears streaming down her cheek.

Joanna, you really disappoint me, Mrs Clara continued; after all my suffering; you decide to humiliate me like this, what of your fiance Jay, what will you tell him?

Joanna smiled, which