[Short Flashback]
Many years ago…
Jasmine stood in a narrow alley in the poorer district of their neighborhood. Her eyes were fixed on a woman squatting just outside a small, dilapidated home. Stray hairs fell from the messy, low bun on the woman's head, partially obscuring her face.
But not enough to hide the bruises along her cheek and jaw or that busted lip.
Jasmine slowly balled her hands into tight fists, staring at the pitiful woman who, heartbreakingly, was her mother.
"What did you do this time?" she scoffed, approaching her. Disgust and dismay twisted her expression as her mother looked up at her with weary eyes.
"Oh, you're here?" the older woman smiled, wiping her hands on her skirt as she rose. "Are you hungry? I can help—"
She reached toward Jasmine's bag, but Jasmine slapped it away.
