The Ten-Dollar Lunch

"Exactly. He acts so superior all the time. What, does he think his kid's lunch is made of gold?"

"Children from single-parent homes really can be selfish. I think Ms. Walker handled it correctly."

"Mark, don't waste your time arguing with him. Your wife is a senior executive at a major company. People like you don't need to stoop to his level."

I stared coldly at the disgusting messages on my screen, then typed back.

"Lower level? Senior executive?

"So that is why you think stealing from someone is acceptable?

"Since all of you believe taking another child's belongings is reasonable, let's settle this face-to-face tomorrow. We'll see who actually has no place in that preschool."

After sending the message, I exited the chat.

Anger rolled through my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Mark was throwing his weight around because his wife held some corporate title. The teacher was obviously trying to curry favor with him.

Did he really think that tiny bit of background was enough to cover the sky with one hand?

I walked to the balcony and called my assistant.

"Find out who controls the preschool's security footage. Also look into Mia's family, especially her mother. I want every card they think they have."

After hanging up, I took a slow breath.

I had kept a low profile for Theo's sake. I wanted him to grow up quietly, without people treating him differently. I had even sent my driver to most parent meetings.

Apparently, my restraint had made some people think they could step on my head.

Since they insisted on testing me, I would tear open their little sky for them.

The next morning, I brought Theo to the preschool right on time.

I did not go to the classroom. I headed straight for the director's office, intending to have the security footage pulled in front of everyone.

Halfway there, Theo tugged on my hand.

"Daddy, I left my sketchbook in the classroom. Can I go get it?"

I nodded and let him go in by himself while I waited in the hallway.

Less than two minutes later, his terrified scream came from the classroom.

My heart dropped. I ran.

When I reached the doorway, the scene inside nearly split my vision red.

Theo was sitting on the floor, pale-faced and crying.

Mia, a heavyset little girl, was holding his sketchbook and ripping pages out of it while making faces at him.

Beside her stood Mark Donovan. He was holding a piece of cheap, dry bread and trying to force it into Theo's mouth.

"Eat it! Didn't you little brat like guarding your food so much? I'll make sure you get plenty today!

"My daughter wanting your things is a blessing. How dare you dodge her?"

Theo struggled and coughed. Crumbs lodged in his throat, turning his face red as he gasped for air.

When Mark saw him resisting, he lifted his shoe and stomped hard on the small hand Theo was using to brace himself against the floor.

The hard sole ground down brutally.

"Ah!" Theo screamed.

In that instant, all the blood in my body rushed to my head. Whatever remained of my reason snapped.

I charged in like a madman and kicked over the nearest desk. The crash startled everyone in the room.

I grabbed Mark by the collar, slammed him into the wall, and backhanded him across the face.

The crack of the slap rang through the classroom.

I had used every ounce of strength I had. Mark froze, stunned, blood already seeping from the corner of his mouth.