"Grace, have you been doing okay lately?"
My mother's concern still warmed my heart despite everything.
"I'm fine. I've just been tired from taking care of the baby."
My mother had once been the most beautiful woman in our community.
After my biological father died, she married Felix.
Time had left surprisingly few marks on Audrey. If anything, age had given her a richer and more distinctive kind of beauty.
Our family continued to maintain the appearance of peace. Sometimes I found the whole performance absurd.
I spent nearly all my time taking care of the baby. After what I had witnessed, I also made a point of avoiding my mother.
That night remained a thorn in my heart.
I ran from my feelings, shut myself away, and tried to numb the pain.
I kept hiding from all of them, but res
