Chapter 6 Hospital … yes . Relieved , I let my eyes close again . When I next awakened , everything around me was pristine white . Even the antiseptic smell became wonderfully comforting , and most importantly , the pain in my body had also diminished significantly - I was saved ! " How could you let your child get this sick ? What kind of mother are you ? " " She's practically an adult , and you locked her up without even a phone . What if something serious had happened ? " I turned toward the voices . A police officer in uniform stood at the doorway with a grave expression . Facing him was Darlene , wearing a pained expression as she launched into a theatrical display of woe . " Officer , you don't understand how much I've suffered ! We're struggling financially , and I have high blood pressure . I work myself to the bone trying to keep this family afloat . Then there's my daughter - nothing but trouble . I just wanted her to work part - time before college to help our family out a little . Instead of doing her job properly , the girl goes and gets herself knocked up at such a young age ! What choice did I have but to keep her home ? As she continued piling one filthy accusation after another on me , tears immediately sprang to my eyes . I cried pitifully , forcing myself to sit up despite my weakness to defend myself : " Officer , I was working fourteen - hour shifts . Every day was nothing but work and sleep , and I've always been a good girl . " Then I turned to my mother , " Mom , why wouldn't you listen to me ? I'm not pregnant . " Seeing that I was awake , a nurse quickly came over to check on me with gentle care . Her expression had also darkened considerably . " Officer , I need to inform you of something important . When this young woman was brought in , she was covered in injuries - head to toe , countless bruises , with petechiae on her face showing clear signs of subcutaneous bleeding . " As the nurse finished speaking , the officer's expression grew even more severe , his tone becoming ice - cold . " Mrs. Dawson , your daughter is still a minor . Domestic abuse against a minor is prosecutable as intentional assault . According to California Penal Code Section 273 , you could face between three and ten years in prison . " , As soon as he finished speaking , onlookers who had gathered at the doorway began buzzing with commentary , pointing accusingly at Darlene . Just then , a figure pushed through the crowd - my father, Raymond , arriving late . The moment he stepped in , he was met with the officer's harsh rebuke and scrutinizing stares from the crowd . Visibly uncomfortable with the public humiliation , he turned to Darlene with a scowl and hissed through gritted teeth : " I leave for a minute , and you're at home torturing our daughter ? How the hell did I end up with such a venomous witch for a wife ! " " Are you brain - dead ? She's working fourteen - hour shifts - when would she even have time for a boyfriend ? Can you go one damn day without creating problems ? " Hearing this , I lowered my eyes . So my father had always known Darlene was deliberately giving me a hard time . He just chose to turn a blind eye as long as it didn't affect his own interests . Watching Darlene being scolded into hanging her head , my father let out a cold snort , then turned to the officer with a fawning smile , repeatedly assuring him : " Officer , you have my word - I won't let anyone abuse or harm my daughter ever again ! " Perhaps seeing his seemingly genuine contrition , the officer gave him a brief lecture before turning to me with a gentle tone : " Don't worry , young lady . Just focus on getting better . I'll check in on you regularly . " Then , before leaving , he instructed the nurse in front of everyone : " Report any unusual circumstances to the police immediately . " Hearing this , my parents ' faces cycled between ashen and flushed . All Darm ! Chapter 6 . When the officer had gone , my father gritted his teeth , glaring hostilely at Darlene . " You've been a housekeeper for years - you know how to take care of people . After you finish at your employer's house , I expect you le neke motzi soups and come to the hospital to look after our daughter , " At the mention of having to care for me , Darlene's eyes reddened with self - pity . Before she could protest , Raymond shot her such a harsh glare the she reluctantly fell silent . Honestly , I wasn't counting on Darlene to take care of me . The hospital meals would certainly be bland but nutritious - far better than anything she'd make . Yet the next day , she showed up at the hospital carrying a thermos container .