SIX YEARS AGO...“Hurry up and eat, I’m going to bed. You’ll take care of these, understand?” Aida’s sharp voice rang out, cutting through the quiet of the dimly lit kitchen.Her stepmother’s tone was as strict as ever, leaving no room for argument or delay. Aida stood there, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing as if daring Isla to protest. But Isla had learned long ago that resistance was futile. “Yes, Tita Aida,” Isla replied obediently, her voice soft but steady. She lowered her gaze, focusing on the plate in front of her. Two small pieces of dried fish sat atop a mound of rice, a meal that was simple but enough to fill her stomach for the night. As she began to eat, she could hear Aida’s footsteps retreating toward the bedroom, the sound of the door closing signaling her stepmother’s departure. The kitchen, though modest and cluttered, was a space Isla had grown accustomed to. At one end of it was an extension—a small, cramped area that served as the maid’s quarters. This was wh
Last Updated : 2024-12-02 Read more