“Molly, I don’t want you to trade yourself for our family. I want you to have a happy home, just like me and your mother. I want you to marry the right person, the one you truly love, and who loves you back,” Mr Vidonia said softly, his voice calm as he tried to explain.

“Dad... ahhh!” Molly suddenly screamed in pain.

“What’s wrong, Molly?” Mr Vidonia asked in panic, rushing forward.

Molly had caught the sharp pinch of her mother’s fingers and the cold glare that followed. She quickly read her mother’s eye signal. Dad is a little too trusting, he’ll believe whatever I say, she thought.

“Dad, I’m...