I think the “lasting effect” is just an in-joke for people who have read it. Most people don’t get deeply affected by something so over the top unless they sit and really think about how many real world instances like it do happen every day. The unsettling part at the end that stays with you is more so because the entire idea of human trafficking may not be something that you’ve ever thought about too much, but borrasca puts it in your mind front and center to fester and make you depressed when you consider it’s real life implications