"Then uncomplicate it for me, Mama. Because I just spent days thinking my father was a good man who was murdered by his enemy. Now I find out he was trafficking women, and you knew about it." My voice rose. "How could you know and not do anything?"
"What was I supposed to do, Maliya?" Her voice cracked. "Your father was a powerful man. If I'd tried to stop him or expose him, what do you think would have happened to me? To you?"
"So you just let it continue? Let those women suffer so you could stay safe?"
"Don't you dare judge me." My mother's eyes flashed with anger. "You have no idea what it's like to be married to a man like Vincent Cruize. No idea what choices I had to make to keep you safe."
"Tell me, then. Make me understand."
She was quiet for a long moment, tears streaming down
