Chapter 992 Praying

Sonya, still protecting the kitten, pleaded in a low voice, "Ramona, it's just a little cat. It won't hurt anyone. Please, don't hurt it." However, Ramona seemed deaf to her words. Her face twisted in rage as she kept hitting the kitten. Whenever Sonya's guard slipped, the kitten would let out a heart-wrenching cry that left everyone stunned. Seeing this, Sally sprang into action. She stormed over, forcefully yanked the stick from Ramona's grip, and faced her with an icy glare. Without a word, Sally's hand flew up and delivered a resounding slap to Ramona's face. Slap! The sound of a hand hitting skin cut through the air, followed by Sally's voice, thick with rage, "That's enough, Ramona! What's gotten into you?" Ramona was left reeling from the slap, her gaze slowly lifting to meet Sally's. Clarity fought its way through the haze in her eyes. She hesitated, then looked at Sonya. The sight of the tiny kitten cradled in Sonya's arms sent a jolt of fear through her, and she stumbled backward. With a lost look, she turned to Sally, her voice quivering. "Mom, I... I didn't mean..." "You may not like cats, Ramona, but that's no excuse to harm this little one. It's so tiny and so adorable. How could you even think of hurting it?" Sonya cut in, her eyes wide and imploring. "And here, of all places, at the cathedral! The pastor just reminded us to be kind-hearted. How can you be so cruel to a helpless creature?" Sally's gaze bore into Ramona, a mix of bitter disappointment and anger. "I thought you were kind-hearted. I brought you here to bless you, but now, I see this harsh side of you, Ramona. It seems I'm still learning who you really are," she said, her voice dripping with annoyance. Ramona shook her head desperately, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mom, you've got it wrong. I'm just scared of cats, that's all..." "Scared? Then keep your distance! What's the point of lashing out at it? It's just a kitten in Yaya's arms. It’s harmless. Were you really going to hit it?" Sally's words struck Ramona like a barrage, leaving her speechless. Tears welled up in her eyes, and they grew red. The ruckus had drawn out a higher-up from the nearby cathedral, a man usually lost in his own world of quiet contemplation. He must have caught the tail end of our little drama. With a gentle voice, he greeted us before sidling up to Sonya. "Let me have it," he said softly. Sonya gave a small nod and reluctantly handed over the kitten she had been cradling so protectively. The man offered us a brief nod, his face unreadable, and then he was gone. Sally watched him go, her eyes lingering on Ramona with a look that spelled out disappointment loud and clear. "Ramona, you know what you need to do," she said, her voice tinged with a warning. Then she turned to Sonya, her face softening as she took in the red marks marring her skin. "Does it hurt?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. Sonya offered a brave little shake of her head and a shy smile. "I'm okay," she insisted. However, guilt shadowed her eyes as she glanced after the man. "I didn't keep the kitten safe," she confessed to Sally, her voice small. Sally's heart clearly ached even more now. "You did your best, sweetheart. It's not your fault," she reassured, pulling Sonya into a comforting hug. I had been on the sidelines the whole time, watching the scene unfold. Ramona stood there: her head bowed, tears threatening to spill, her whole body trembling, and her hands knotted together in silent turmoil. As Sally led Sonya, I joined Ramona. She looked at me, her eyes wide and pleading. I bit back my frustration and simply said, "Come on, we need to get back." With that, I turned and headed back the way we came. "I..." Ramona's voice trailed after me, heavy with the weight of unspoken words. I paused and looked back at her, my gaze steady. "We'll talk when we get home," I said, leaving no room for argument. The walk back was eerily silent. Sonya's face needed attention—Sally was adamant about getting her to the hospital, fussing over the scratches as only a mother hen would. Off to the hospital we went. Standing at the hospital entrance, I could not help but feel the weight of the day settling in. Sally guided Sonya out of the car and turned to me. "Yvette, just stay in the car, okay? No need to come with us and wear yourself out. We'll be back soon to drive you to the hotel." I kept quiet, but Ramona was quick to chime in, "Mom, I want to come with you..." "No need. You're better off waiting here," Sally replied, her face showing signs of distress.