Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Despite wanting to keep Tatiana company, Sean had no choice but to see his mom to the hospital.
Silence descended on the living room after the massive family argument just now. Too shocked to speak, Lyla clutched her
sleeve with one hand and held Mandy's arm with another.
"Lyla, are you okay?" Mandy caressed Lyla's cold hand.
"I'm fine," Lyla croaked.
"The Schmidts are rascals, but the Lynches are not better." Mandy shook her head indignantly. "I thought they'd at least be
grateful for Winston's favor. These ingrates! Sean is a good guy, but his parents and brother are unbearable. I'm worried they'd
bully Taty if she marries Sean."
"Mandy, that's enough." Lyla closed her eyes and shook her head remorsefully. "It's not anyone's fault. I'm the one to blame. I'm
too weak and useless to promise my daughter a happy marriage."
Unbeknownst to them, Tatiana had witnessed the scene unfold from the second floor. She overheard Sinead and Simon's taunt,
and she saw Sean going against his family for her sake.
Because of that, she felt heartbroken. Holding to the wall, she slowly made her way back to a dark corner, where she sat down
and hugged her knees. How she hoped she could hide away.
"Taty? Taty? Are you there?" Colene searched for Tatiana. She picked up on the noise and finally found the poor girl sobbing in a
corner.

Colene, who was childless, felt the maternal urge to comfort Tatiana. She pulled Tatiana into a hug. "Child, what are you crying
for?"
She was heartbroken at the sight of Tatiana's tears. Tatiana wondered, "Colene, is there no hope between me and Sean? Mrs.
Lynch seems to hate me. Am I that useless?"
"Nonsense! Do not ever look down on yourself! That old hag has no taste—she couldn't see what a precious child you are. Do
not be hurt by their words."
Tatiana, who had been wallowing in sadness, broke into a smile at Colene's way of speaking.
"Now, that's my girl. You're prettiest when you smile!" Colene wiped away Tatiana's tears, but she felt troubled and annoyed.
After seeing Tatiana back to the room, Colene still couldn't get over it. She finally contacted someone whom she hadn't spoken to
for a while.
The man was once part of the Ivory Gang back when she was still attached to the gang. Nathan Waters, an adopted son of
Colene's father, had now been promoted to the gang leader position.
"Oh, Colene! I never thought I'd get a call from you again. Is this a dream?" Nathan sounded agitated.
"This is not a fucking dream. I'll keep it short. I need you to beat up this guy," Colene instructed in her usual direct manner.
"Who's that? I'm at your service?"
Colene hissed, "Simon Lynch!"

Nathan didn't prod. "Sure. Are we sticking to the usual rule?"
"Yes. Beat him up badly, but keep him alive."