The sound of repeated slaps echoed through the room. Dion did not fight back at all as his father struck his face over and over again and punched his body. This was exactly what Dion had expected would happen when he came to face his father. He had never dared to stand up to him. Besides, he realized that he deserved every blow—he was at fault.

“That’s enough. Please don’t hit Dion anymore,” Greta pleaded, unable to bear seeing her youngest son being beaten by her husband.

She ...