Returning early after three months, the millionaire choked back tears, expecting his daughter to run into his arms. Instead, she whispered, “Daddy, you’re back early.” Stepping inside, he saw her shivering in rags, while his wife lived in luxury. He froze, knelt down, and asked softly, “Who did this to you?”

of the week it is.”

For a terrible, fleeting moment, I had to avert my eyes.

I couldn’t look at her, not because she was repulsive, but because her statement was steeped in such profound, adult despair that I needed a second to lock my own facial muscles in place so I wouldn’t terrify her further. When I finally turned back, I reached out and cradled continue reading …