Bianca turned at the sound of the soft, kind voice. She was sobbing uncontrollably for what had taken place in the hospital room had driven her to the depths of despair.

Beth had gotten there before Bianca. Holding her mother’s hands, Beth had hissed,

‘Get OUT, you dirty wh*re, you!” and then, when Bianca had faltered, holding the door for support, for Heather was unconscious, her sister, still a teenager, had risen and stormed over to her, slapping her hard across the face.

“Isn’t this enough for you?” Beth had screamed as Bianca cupped her cheek in shock.

“Haven’t you done enough damage? “And gripping Bianca’s hair, she had shouted,...