Linden's mother wanted to argue more, but her husband, Silas Golding, stopped her. Both Silas and their son, Linden Golding, had grim expressions and hadn't said a word all night. Linden Golding's wife was planning to take the children and return to her parents' home first thing in the morning; she couldn't bear the humiliation.
Silas and Linden Golding were now sick with regret. They were finally getting a taste of what it felt like to have the entire village pointing fingers behind their backs. Naturally, they resented Phoenix Golding. She had been causing non-stop trouble lately, and there hadn't been a single moment of peace. No matter how fond of her they normally were, no relationship could withstand this much turmoil.
Besides, their relationship with Phoenix Golding wasn't that strong to begin with. After all, everyone in that family was selfish to the bone.
"Why won't you let me speak? They're all saying such things about Phoenix," Linden's mother grumbled unhappily.
