My mother-in-law blocked the entrance to my new apartment and screamed that her son had bought it for her, ordering me to leave.

closed on Evelyn’s anger.

The moment she was gone, I locked the door and leaned against it.

Not crying.

Not shaking.

Listening.

The apartment was quiet again, but not peaceful. It felt violated. The furniture stood where it always had, yet somehow looked ashamed of what had happened around it.

Priya softened.

“Nora,” she said, no longer Ms. Bennett. “Do you continue reading …