“It isn’t only about money, but power. Power I would never have if I had a husband.” Mama wiped her eyes and regained her composure quickly as if reluctant to show her fragility. “Once you get married, you become your husband’s property. You lose your freedom.”

If freedom was having tumbles for money and blackmailing people, Angeline wasn’t sure she’d like that type of freedom.

“I hold all the power in my relationships. That’s what matters.”

Angeline disagreed. It seemed those men used her mother. “Sooner or later, a gentleman will want to avenge himself or simply call the police.”

“I don’t care what happens to me.” Mama lost her determined expression, sagging on the stool. “But today made me understand you could have been left alone with my mistakes.”

“No more blackmailing. Please,” Angeline said.

“I can’t stop now.” Her bottom lip quivered, and she started crying again.

Angeline hugged her. What Mama did was wrong from many points of view. But she was Mama, and Angeline’s heart broke at hearing her cry. Mama must have spent many nights doing things she hadn’t wanted to do. The thought was like a vine tightening around Angeline’s throat. She’d help her mother get out of that life.