Rich Men (2)

When they arrived home, they found their mother sitting in the living room, her face etched with pain. Victoria rushed to her side, kneeling in front of her and taking her hands.

"Mom, I'm so sorry," Victoria began, her voice gentle as she started massaging her mother's lap. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I didn't feel anything, and the man there was just trying to help me."

Her mother looked at her, her eyes filled with sorrow and regret. "I know, Victoria. I know," she murmured. "But you have to understand, rich men... they can't be trusted."

Victoria's eyes shut up to meet her mother's teary ones. "What are you talking about, mother?"

"My dear," Victoria's mother called but it was so unusual to Victoria because her mother barely, if ever, addressed her with such a title.

Her mother, eyes distant and filled with memories, took a deep breath and began to speak again.