That’s when it happened. The sound of her palm connecting with my cheek echoed through the room like a gunshot. The sting was immediate, radiating across my face. I touched my cheek, the skin already hot.

“Then find somewhere else to live!” she screamed, her composed mask finally shattering. “I’m tired of supporting a selfish old woman who can’t even contribute to her own family!”

I looked at David, my only child, waiting for him to defend me. Instead, he simply nodded, avoiding my eyes. “Mom,” he said, his voice a whisper. “Maybe it’s time you found your own place. Lilia is right. We’ve been carrying you financially for too long.”