Spoiled as she was, the girl sought out misery. Haeri should have pinched off any unhappiness that tried to sprout, whether it was a narcissistic grandmother or a mother whose skin crawled at the sight of her. That’s what I would have done. I would have chosen to live. I would have found a way.
Though I’m careful to stay in character, it feels odd to be celebrating my birthday without the special cake my mother always orders for me. Of course, I would be eating it in my freezing house. Here, it’s warm, but Haeri gets no cake or presents, which is what she prefers.