I watched the scene unfold without much surprise.

It had always been this way for so many years.

But this time, after doing the housework, my mom locked herself in my bedroom. She held my photo, her fingers trembling as she gently caressed it.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Rose."

"For so many years, you've suffered too much. We failed you."

"I failed you."

"Mom will make sure everyone makes amends for their wrongs."

She opened a drawer and took out a bottle of pills.

Lately, she had been plagued by nightmares and had gotten some sleeping pills from the hospital.

I watched as she crushed an entire bottle of...