I held my newborn when my uncle saw the marks on my neck—then removed his hearing aids, and my husband realized too late who he was really dealing with.

catching the fluorescent light. Beside him stood his father, tall and cold in a perfectly tailored suit, looking more like a magistrate than a grandfather.

“Don’t give me that look, Ray,” Derek said easily. “She got dramatic.”

Uncle Ray’s eyes moved from my neck to my trembling hands.

Derek smirked. “Just reminding her who’s continue reading …