XVI.

BRIGHT wailed at the top of her lungs as her locks were pulled roughly by her mother. She drags her away from the floor until they reach the kitchen part of the apartment.

"What the hell was that? Are you insane, Bright? I didn't raise you just so you could go and love another woman!" she yelled, pointing at Bright with a disgusted look on her face.

When I tried to follow and help, the old woman immediately berated me.

"And you? You're ungrateful! My daughter let you in to work and yet you were flirting with her?" She stared right at me with fire in her eyes, as though she'd gobble me up at any moment.

Her face was turning bright red from rage, and her eyes were sharp, her lips pursing, and her brows arching.

"I can't believe you came from me! You're a disgrace!" she added, hitting Bright in the face with her hand. She continued to do so while Bright tried to defend herself by shielding her face from her mother.

I panicked as if I didn't know what to do. I tried to swallow my fear and