Chapter 17. Believe Me or Not

Have you ever stood in the rain, drenched and unprotected, while others sheltered under umbrellas? Have you ever wished for a family to be there for you through thick and thin, a consistent presence in your life? 

Have you ever felt a stinging sensation of solitude, even amid a bustling crowd? These feelings of separation and loneliness have haunted me not once, but several times throughout my life. I've led a solitary existence, without the company of others or the warm hug of family.

There were numerous occasions when I wished for the guiding presence of a mother, but she was not present in my life. I grew up with a single father and a grandfather, lacking the feminine influence I desired. I felt adrift and alone since I didn't have somebody to confide in about the complexities of gender.

My grandfather despised me, his hatred manifesting itself in curses shouted at my very existence. I never really understood why he was so hostile. Paradoxically, the more m