His Wicked Stepmother Gave Him Leftover Bones While Her Kids Ate Fresh Meat Daily

The boy’s hands trembled as he held the cracked plastic bowl, staring at what lay inside.

Leftover bones stripped clean of every bit of meat, smeared with cold gravy from someone else’s meal, sat before him like a cruel joke.

The smell of freshly cooked goat meat still hung thick in the air, drifting from the dining table where his stepmother’s children sat laughing, chewing on soft, juicy pieces of meat so fresh that steam still curled upward.

“Eat it,” his stepmother said sharply, folding her arms as she towered over him.

She was a tall, dark-skinned woman with sharp cheekbones and eyes that rarely blinked when she was angry.

“Meat is expensive. My children need strength for school. You, you will manage that.” She pointed at the bowl as if it insulted her.

But Malik couldn’t move.

His eyes darted from the bones to the children’s plates filled with fresh yam, vegetables, and thick slices of meat.

His stomach growled loudly, embarrassing him further.

He hadn’t eaten since morning.

Just as he lifted one of the bones to his mouth, the bone snapped in half, revealing something hidden inside it—something that shouldn’t have been there.

The moment it cracked open, his stepmother froze.

Her eyes widened, and her face drained of color.

“Who told you to break it?” she shouted.

The house seemed to shake from her voice.

Malik dropped the bone, confused and frightened.

Inside the bone was a tightly folded piece of paper, stained but still readable.

Before he could reach for it, his stepmother rushed forward and slapped the bowl out of his hands.

Bones scattered across the cement floor.

“You didn’t see anything,” she screamed.

But Malik had already seen enough to know this wasn’t normal.

Whatever she hid in those bones was something she desperately didn’t want him to discover.

His stepbrother, Jamal, stared with wide eyes.

His stepsister, Khlo, covered her mouth.

Whatever was inside that bone had scared even them.

His stepmother grabbed Malik by the collar and dragged him toward the backyard.

The evening sky darkened as if it sensed danger, and the wind shifted cold and heavy.

“If you ever open another bone,” she hissed, “you won’t live to tell anyone what you find.”

A car horn echoed from the front gate.

Malik’s face lit up with hope.

His father had returned unexpectedly.

His stepmother’s grip loosened for only a second, but that second was enough.

Malik dashed through the backyard door, the paper still lying on the floor behind him, determined to warn his father.

But before he could reach him, his stepmother snatched something from the kitchen counter—a knife.

She ran after him, and just as Malik reached the front hallway, just as he stretched his hand toward his father’s shadow at the doorway, he slipped.

The knife flashed.

The stepmother gasped.

The father shouted his name.

And then everything went still.

The truth behind that bone, the secret she feared, was about to change everything.

The loud thud echoed through the hallway as Malik landed hard on the floor.

His father, Elijah Carter, rushed forward, his heavy boots pounding against the tiles.

He was a tall, broad-shouldered African-American man in his early 40s with calm eyes that rarely showed fear—until now.

“Malik!” he shouted, kneeling beside him.

The stepmother, Vanessa, froze a few feet away, the knife still in her hand.

She looked shocked, breathing heavily as if she couldn’t believe what she had done or what she had almost done.

“It’s not what it looks like,” she stuttered, lowering the knife slowly.

“He tripped. Elijah, I swear he tripped.”

But Elijah’s eyes weren’t on her.

They were on the small cut on Malik’s arm—a cut that could not have come from a fall.

“What were you doing with that knife?” he demanded.

Vanessa swallowed hard.

“I—I was cooking. I just came out to check.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Elijah said, his voice deepening.

“You were chasing him.” Malik tried to speak, but fear tightened his throat.

His arm throbbed, but that wasn’t what scared him most.

What scared him was the paper hidden inside the bone—the paper Vanessa had tried desperately to keep him from seeing.

“Elijah,” Vanessa said softly, shifting her voice into the sweet tone she used when trying to manipulate him.

“You know how children exaggerate. Malik has always been dramatic. He probably broke something in the kitchen again and panicked. You know how he gets.”

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.

” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah. Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.

” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.

“Stay over there.” That one word, “No,” hit her harder than the knife would have hit Malik.

Her face shifted from concern to coldness.

While Elijah cleaned the wound, Malik’s eyes drifted toward the dining area.

Bones still lay scattered on the floor from when Vanessa knocked the bowl out of his hands.

One of those bones, the one with the paper inside, was no longer there.

Vanessa had taken it.

She was hiding something—something important enough to risk hurting Malik.

As Malik’s arm stopped bleeding, Elijah asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the moment he walked in.

“Did she do anything else to you today?”

Malik opened his mouth but hesitated.

He remembered all the times he had spoken up before.

Every time Vanessa found a way to twist his words until even he wondered if he remembered correctly.

But today was different.

Today she had crossed a line.

“She gives me leftover bones,” Malik whispered.

“Every day while Jamal and Khlo get real food.”

Elijah froze.

Vanessa spoke quickly before Elijah could process the words.

“That’s not true, Elijah.

Think! If the boy is getting leftovers, how is he still alive? How is he still growing? Would he not be sick?” That child lies to make me look bad.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

Malik’s heart sank.

He had heard this before.

This was the weapon she used.

Not knives, not fists, but her words.

Elijah lifted Malik gently and walked him toward the living room.

Vanessa followed, pretending to be concerned.

“Let me get the first aid box,” she offered.

“No,” Elijah said firmly.