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My Fear Of Betrayal
Growing up, I was sheltered — protected from the world in ways I didn’t even realise until I was older.
My mum was the one who taught me this lesson: never fully trust anyone.
It wasn’t out of paranoia, but out of a painful experience that shaped her view of the world.
She always said, “The closer you are to someone, the more alert you should be.”
As a child, I didn’t fully grasp what that meant, but now I do.
My mum had a best friend.
They did everything together — laughing, sharing secrets, and growing up side by side.
They knew each other inside out, or at least, that’s what my mum believed.
But the deeper their bond grew, the more vulnerable my mum became to betrayal.
When my mum was introduced to my father, who was from the UK, it was a life-changing opportunity.
Back then, the prospect of moving to an English-speaking country was seen as a huge honour, something that could open doors to a brighter future.
This opportunity, however, sparked jealousy in her best friend.