“You remind me so much of myself at your age. Struggling to find my place in this world. Especially being a member of a family such as ours.” “Mother—” “Shh. Let me finish. This life we live, it’s not easy. It’s brutal. Violent. And often unfair. Did you know your father and I had an arranged marriage?” I draw back in shock. “But—but you and Da seem so happy.” “Now, but we weren’t always.” “I hate this. Everything is always about duty,” I sneer the last. My mother nods matter-of-factly. “Yes, it is. Duty to the family—the organization—is the only thing that matters to your grandfather. It’s
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