She lowers her head. “I’m going to leave you with a gift, sister. Every time you look in the mirror, you’ll remember how ugly you are, how utterly unwanted, unloved, and undesired.”

Her nails dig into my left cheek, then she presses them deeper, tearing my flesh. As she drags them down, I can’t even scream. I can hardly breathe. Amid the pain, I can see black spots in front of my eyes.

My hands fall limp by my side, and I fleetingly worry about Mano. Who’ll take care of her once ...