How Could There Be a Mother Like Her?

Just then, Edward stepped forward, his expression grave. "Mom, let me explain.

Carrie's mother was an extremely devout religious fanatic. In her twisted mind, women were born burdened with sin. She believed that intercourse and pregnancy—perfectly normal biological phenomena—were all God's punishment for women."

Edward paused slightly, his eyes full of pity, then continued, "She constantly filled Carrie's head with these utterly absurd beliefs, using those harsh, perverse doctrines to exert near-mad spiritual control over her.

Poor Carrie had lived under an unfounded sense of guilt for so long that she was in unbearable pain. And her mother had no awareness of what it meant to be a mother at all. She never taught Carrie any of the biological knowledge that every girl inevitably faced while growing up."

Edward clenched his fists, anger lacing his voice. "Whenever Carrie did anything that displeased her, she would grab a Bible and beat Carrie to the ground without mercy.

Afterward, she would throw Carrie into a prayer room filled with horrifying religious statues and lock her up, claiming it was to make her reflect on her sins.

What was worse, whenever Carrie expressed even the slightest wish of her own, her mother, Margaret, would lock her back into that Hell-like room and punish her."

Carrie's breathing grew increasingly rapid, her eyes filled with pain and terror. As her emotions spiraled out of control, even the air around them seemed to turn restless.

Suddenly, with a deafening bang, the living room light exploded without warning, sending shards of glass flying everywhere. Carrie screamed in terror and curled into a ball, as though the end of the world had arrived.

Sarah was startled by the sudden scene as well, but she quickly calmed down. Holding Carrie tightly, she comforted her softly, "It's all right, Carrie. Don't be afraid. Aunt Sarah is here.

None of this is your fault. Don't be scared." But Carrie continued to tremble, her eyes full of despair and helplessness. The exploding light seemed like just another terrifying eruption in her dark life, and she had no idea when she would finally escape this endless fear and torment.

Sarah held Carrie even tighter, trying to use her warmth to chase away the shadows in her heart. At the same time, she silently swore that she would help this poor child escape her suffering.

Sarah looked at Carrie with aching concern, then raised her head and said firmly to Edward, "Edward, let Carrie stay at our house tonight.

This child has suffered too much. We can't send her back to that horrible environment. Tomorrow morning, we'll call the police. We absolutely cannot let her mother keep hurting her like this."

Night fell like ink, pressing heavily over the entire house. Carrie was arranged to sleep in Lily's room. Everything in it felt unfamiliar, yet it carried a faint warmth, a sharp contrast to her cold and terrifying home.

Mrs. Sarah quietly entered the room, moving with extreme care, afraid of disturbing Carrie. She carried a cup of warm water in her hand and gently placed it on the bedside table.

Carrie lay in bed with her eyes wide open. The fear and unease from the day still lingered in her gaze as she stared fixedly at Mrs. Sarah's every movement.

Mrs. Sarah bent slightly, a gentle smile on her face. "Child, get some sleep. Everything will be better tomorrow."

As she spoke, she reached out and carefully smoothed Carrie's slightly messy hair, her movements as gentle as a breeze. Then she straightened up, looked at Carrie once more, and quietly left the room.

Carrie shifted slightly and slowly tucked her little head beneath the covers, leaving only her eyes exposed, filled with a trace of timidity.

Just then, Edward came in. Seeing Carrie like that, he comforted her softly, "Don't worry. My mom is an ace lawyer. She'll definitely help you get out of this." Carrie nodded slightly and replied in a small voice, "Okay."

Edward continued, "Tomorrow, I'll help you ask for leave from school. Just rest here and don't worry about anything." Carrie blinked and said softly, "Good night." Edward smiled in return. "Good night." With that, he turned around, closed the door, and returned to his own room.

Early the next morning, dawn filtered through thin clouds, casting strands of faint light.

Edward got up early. After hurriedly washing up, he spoke with his mother about Carrie, then quickly headed for the school bus stop.

He boarded the slightly old school bus, and the students' gazes immediately turned toward him. As though he had stepped into a spotlight, they greeted him warmly one after another.

After all, Edward was undoubtedly a star at school. He excelled academically, was skilled at all kinds of sports, and possessed a unique charm that made him incredibly popular.

Edward smiled politely and responded to each greeting before taking a seat by the window.

The school bus slowly started up and traveled along its familiar route. As the wheels turned, the scenery outside swept backward like slides in a projector.

Before long, the bus came to another steady stop. The doors opened with a hiss, and a black-haired girl stepped lightly onto the bus.

It was Maria. Her delicate face looked like a painting by a master, her deep eyes like a quiet lake. Her slender figure was graceful, and she gave off a fragile air that made people want to protect her.

But at that moment, Maria's expression was full of timidity. She kept her eyes lowered, seemingly terrified of the people on the bus.

Of course, just as she feared, when she cautiously tried to head toward the back of the bus, a leg suddenly stretched out into the aisle and blocked her path.

Maria hesitated, the fear on her face becoming even more obvious. Seeing this, the students on the bus burst into laughter, the harsh sound echoing through the cramped cabin.

"Mark, if you still want to keep that leg, move it now." Just as all the students were openly mocking Maria, a firm, discordant voice suddenly rang out.

Mark, who had stretched out his leg, looked toward the voice and saw Edward. Instantly enraged and embarrassed, he shouted, "What? What's it got to do with you where I put my leg, good student?"

"Hey, someone's actually standing up for Maria! Did you see that? Hahaha!" one of Mark's lackeys said, and the other boys joined in the laughter.

But when their eyes met Edward's cold gaze, their laughter died as though someone had grabbed them by the throat. They did not dare say another word and could only look at one another awkwardly.

At this school, Maria seemed to be the designated punching bag, having long been the target of everyone's bullying. If anyone thought her beauty meant she would be spared, they could not have been more wrong.