“That’s life, Maya! It’s filled with tests and hardships that should have made you strong, but instead, you’re choosing to run away.” “That should’ve made me strong?” I repeated in disbelief. “Am I supposed to thank Mikhail for trying to make me strong? Am I supposed to be grateful for surviving him? I was a child; why did I need to be strong?” I asked with genuine curiosity. “I know he’s your son and you were just trying to protect him and yourselves from getting sucked into the system, but what about me? Why didn’t you notice how his behavior was affecting me? Why didn’t you try to protect
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