I held my breath for a minute, trying to figure out what reached my ears. It was bad news I never expected to afflict one of my loved ones, not even a friend. It was like a thunderbolt that just attacked me. I absently subsided on the bench next to Vera.

“Sorry to hear that. Who did it? Is it that man?” I regretted that I could not control what came out of my mouth.

“That bastard, my aunt, and even my mom have ruined my life. I have no future.” I hugged her shoulder. I did not have words to say, speechless. “If only my parents did not divorce,...