HIS NEIGHBOR WOULDN’T STOP REPORTING THE SOUND OF A GIRL CRYING INSIDE HIS HOUSE—THEN HE HID BENEATH HIS DAUGHTER’S BED AND HEARD HER PLEAD FOR SOMEONE TO SPARE HER

A deadly silence filled the room.

Veronica stepped forward slowly. “What did you say?”

“You’re not my mother,” Lucia repeated, louder now. “My real mom would never hurt me like this.”

The slap echoed through the bedroom.