Forced to Watch My Son Call Her 'Mom' - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Erin sauntered forward, her voice laced with venomous sweetness. "Well, well, Liane. Hitting your own son? I never thought even you could sink this low. Color me impressed."
She reached out to gently stroke Frank's hair with faux concern. "Does it hurt, sweetheart?"
Frank stood unnaturally still under her touch - this docile version of my son was someone I didn't recognize. Victor came rushing over too, clucking like a mother hen as he inspected imaginary injuries.
Watching their perfect little tableau - the picture of domestic bliss - I realized with painful clarity that I was the odd one out. An unwanted guest in my own family.
I barely remember leaving. The last things I heard were their angry shouts chasing me out the door, a chorus of blame ringing in my ears.
The paternity test results crushed the last fragile hope I'd been clinging to. Whatever love I'd felt for Victor evaporated instantly.
I marched straight to my store, but something felt off the moment I entered. A neon-green hat sat prominently on the counter - garish, out of place, practically screaming for attention.
"Who did this?" I demanded, scanning the room.
The cosmetics staff - mostly women - watched me with barely concealed amusement. After an uncomfortably long silence, someone snickered.
Christine. Erin's little lapdog.
I shoved the hat in her face. "Your doing?"
She wiped the smirk off her face fast. "Me? I wouldn't dare, Liane." Her eyes danced with malicious glee.
"Then who?"
"Not my problem," she singsonged. Around us, the muffled laughter spread like wildfire.
My hands shook with rage. "Remember who hired you all. This is your gratitude?"
A voice shot back: "Gratitude? For what? Frozen salaries and double the work? Some opportunity!"
"Those year-end bonuses-"
"Save it!" another interrupted. "You're not the boss anymore. Stop pretending you matter."
Christine leaned in, her voice dripping poison. "So... your mother-in-law's birthday? No gift from the dutiful daughter-in-law?" She paused for effect. "Or has hubby already replaced you?"
Erin had clearly briefed her well. The store buzzed with whispers as my vision went red. Before I could think, I jammed the hat onto Christine's head and turned to leave.
Her shrill voice followed me: "Ooooh, someone's husband traded up! No wonder she's so touchy about green hats!"
Then the door swung open. There stood Erin, draped on Victor's arm like designer accessory. She took one look at the scene and sighed theatrically.
"Really, Christine," she tutted. "Who would pull such a tasteless prank in my store?"
Like the well-trained puppet she was, Christine immediately pointed at me. "Miss Herbert, she did it! Someone left that hat, and when I mentioned how green hats find their rightful owners, she attacked me!"
The room held its breath, waiting for Erin's performance to continue.