CHAPTER 47-WHERE DID THAT COME FROM-MERINA

Merina stood in the bathroom, leaning against the stone counter. She avoided looking into the mirror because she knew she couldn’t face what she’d admitted. It was one thing to say it and pass it off as a joke. Admitting to Conner would reveal her experience. Was something else to her. Merina couldn’t stay in the room with him. He echoed what teachers, caregivers, and her father had said. ‘You are attention seeking Merina. Grow up and do better. Why are you like this? Mistakes happen, forgive and forget. Be the better person.’ Were things they said to make her accept others’ inappropriate behavior to her.

She knew it all. For a long time, Merina believed it was her fault. If she improved, others would show her respect and recognition. But they didn’t and hadn’t. Nothing she’d ever done or not done before worked. Her intention was to show her usefulness to them, and then deprive them of that benefit upon her departure. In doing that, she’d prove to them she didn