The mother-in-law celebrated her “grandson” with the mistress and called the wife useless—until that night exposed debts, lies, and a betrayal far bigger than anyone expected

received embraces from my team, and driven home exhausted.

But it was not a dream.

A heavy hand pressed my forehead against the pillow, and a metallic buzzing sound pierced my ear. When I opened my eyes, I saw long strands of my black hair falling onto the white sheets as though someone were quietly destroying years of my life.