“I’ll rather give you away to a pauper than to allow your togetherness with that boy, Karina,” Irene screamed these words at Karina the moment they got into her bedroom.

A muscle of Karina’s jaw ticked while she blinked hard to keep her tears at bay.

“You need to understand me, sweetheart. How can I hand you to a man who has hit you before? Do you think my mind will be able to be at peace? Once bitten twice shy, Karina,” her voice was calm this time as she moved to hold Karina’s hands.

“I love Derek, Mom,” the tears she was trying to hold for minutes finally escaped...