After dinner, I was getting ready to go out, while texting friends back in England, when Mom walked in sheepishly and asked, "I'm so sorry, Victoria."

"I am too," I sighed, before adding, "but this ends now. You are my mother, my slut and I will not have you submitting to my enemy any more, is that understood?"

There was a long pause as Mom obviously struggled with my expectations. Finally, she whispered, not making eye contact, "I'll try."

"Try?" I said. "You don't try, you do. It's that black and white."

"But she is so powerful," Mom tried to explain.

"As am I," I countered, knowing I had to...