Chapter 28

Even Donald and Emilio had never seen this side of Helen, let alone Rita. Helen had always behaved in a manner befitting a refined and sophisticated woman. Even when others displeased her, she wouldn't disregard all sense of decorum to engage them in a physical fight. But now, her hair was a mess, and her clothes were disheveled. She looked like a lioness in a raging frenzy. No one dared to approach her. Emily seemed to have been frightened by Helen's outburst, too. Forgetting all about the game of magic she was supposed to be playing, she started crying loudly. "Mommy! Mommy!" It was her cries that snapped Helen out of her frenzy. She released Rita and turned around to stumble back toward Emily. Hugging Emily tightly, she coaxed, "Don't cry, Emmie. Please don't cry, my sweet Emmie." "Don't fight, Mommy! Don't fight…" "I won't fight anymore. I must have scared you, Emmie. It's all my fault. I didn't do a good job of protecting you," Helen said as tears streamed down uncontrol