I felt a mix of emotions: betrayal, confusion, and anger. Why would my dad do this? What was he thinking? My mother’s silence now seemed even more baffling and hurtful.

We decided to confront my parents together. My boyfriend held my hand tightly as I approached my father. “Why did you make me use that soap?” I asked, barely keeping my voice steady.

My dad’s face shifted from surprise to something unreadable. “I thought it would help,” he finally said. “Your mother and I… we thought it would toughen you up.”

“Toughen me up?” I echoed in disbelief. “By using something that’s not even meant for human skin?”