Prologue
When the heavy applause died down, Timkere Noah took a deep breath before raising the microphone to her mouth. "Today, I did not wake with a slap."
Chapter One
The shrill of the alarm on her phone woke her.
Turning on her childhood bed, Timkere whispered, "I did not wake up with a slap today. Not even a kick or a demeaning word."
It was the twenty-eighth of December, 2018. This date had ceased to be a happy anniversary for Timkere. Nevertheless, today made it three years she'd been muttering these words the moment she woke peacefully – a constant reminder that she'd survived.
However, last night, Tim had experienced an overwhelming surge of dissatisfaction. She'd called her brother, her saviour and only family. Though away on business, he answered immediately.
"Well, dear sister, you aren't truly living," Udeme had concluded after listening to her.
