In a time of strife in 1940s Malaya, this book is inspired by the true story of Hwa, a Hainanese woman grew up a child of war. The story offers a window to her battles through hardship during the Japanese occupation and a scandalous, broken marriage that plunged her into a lifelong mental disorder. Surviving the harsh conditions was not uncommon in those days but surviving emotional turmoil and raising a family against all odds had Hwa remove her sense of affection from herself and everyone around her.

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​Written by her granddaughter she raised in her later years and with help from family and friends, this memoir traces the origins of her sudden outbursts and rigorous cleaning routine. This aching journey of loss finally finds its way back to hope as Hwa ultimately finds solace in a new community of friends and embraces forgiveness.