HEIR OF PAIN
His movements were quick, practiced—he had done this so many times that his body knew what to do even when his mind was elsewhere.
Next came the dishes. He rolled up his sleeves, dipped his hands into the cold soapy water, and scrubbed each plate until it gleamed. The soap stung his skin, but he ignored it.
After that, he stepped outside. The morning air was crisp, the compound large and quiet. He picked up the broom and began sweeping the yard, even though the ground barely had any leaves. Still, he swept. It wasn’t about the dirt—it was about control. His uncle and aunt wanted to see him work.