“You cannot allow Mother to keep abusing you, blaming you for the problems she creates, keeping every cent you earn, belittling you, calling you vile names. You know what you have to do.”
“I … I can’t.”
“You must. End the abuse by ending her life. We’ve talked about how to do it.”
“I can’t do it! I’m afraid.”
“You must!”
“Please don’t make me,” she begged, even as she raised her tear-stained face, knowing she had to obey the face in the mirror.