Just seeing Vanessa made me feel disgusted, like bile rising in my throat.

I stood before Vanessa, keeping my face expressionless but intimidating enough that she'd think twice about messing with me.

"Auntie, are we close? Please, just stop showing up in front of me," I said, my tone biting. "I'm allergic to women like you." I pushed past her deliberately, brushing her shoulder as I did.

Vanessa’s face twisted with rage, her eyes flashing with an ...