I imagined countless times how my mother would react upon discovering the truth. Would she regret her actions? Or would she weep for me, her heart breaking into pieces? I felt like a dog desperately seeking attention, trying to find even a hint of remorse in her eyes. Yet, she remained as calm as ever.

After hanging up, it was as if nothing had happened. She called for Winnie to prepare dinner, trying to placate my brother as she pulled him toward the table. He shrugged off her hand, laughing bitterly.

"You don’t deserve to be a mother. I often wondered if I were like my sister, would you and...