CORRIE

Nothing was more shameful than this. I was sprawled in a prostrate position, my head bowed before the family I despised most—all because of something that was entirely their doing.

“Get up, Corrie.” Mimi’s voice broke through the haze of my humiliation as she rushed to my side. She knelt down, pulling me up by the shoulders and into a warm embrace.

“What are you doing?” she whispered, her tone laced with mock concern.

“All this theatrics for a criminal?” she continued, her voice rising slightly. “You’re making it look like we forced you into that position.” A single tear glistened in her eye, though her words, sweet as...