I tried to swallow the tremor in my throat. I refused to cry in front of them. I refused to offer weakness like a gift.

“‘Do not give that toy to Manu, Carly,’” I said, my voice tightening. “‘It is yours. Save it to share with your real sister.’” I blinked hard. “Maybe that was why I had problems… because I heard things like that my whole life from the woman who called herself my mother.”

“SHE WAS NOT YOUR MOTHER!” Carly shouted.

Flávia’s voice came softer, almost ...