"How many times have I told you to be humble and respect your elders? Instead, you always bring shame upon this family!"
I stamped my foot in frustration.
"Mom! Auntie is your sister, not mine! If you want to take care of her, that’s your business, but stop dragging me into it! Grandpa asked you to look after her—what does that have to do with me? Haven’t they done enough to hurt me already?!"
My daughter’s cries slowly quieted in my arms, but I was too anxious to care about anything else. I turned toward the kitchen, desperate to rinse her mouth.
But before I could move, my mother’s fury erupted. She raised her hand and slapped me hard, again and again.
"Unfilial daughter! I’ll beat you to death!"
"How dare you defy me!"
Julia stepped forward, pretending to hold my mother back.
"Auntie, let it go. My sister has always been like this. Don’t waste your energy getting upset."
At the sound of Julia’s soft persuasion, my mother’s expression shifted in an instant.
"Such a good child," she cooed, her anger melting away. "You are so filial. Don’t be upset, it’s not worth it."
Then she turned back to me with a glare sharper than a knife.