Well I can understand why you're cringing, because seeing someone begging for forgiveness is kinda ankward. Plus cringe is not always in a bad way, we could have change this word to "awkward, embarrassed, etc.." and so I don't think this would have been received this badly.
Like I think they understand, that MC suffered, but when you see someone who every single time, beg for forgiveness or to not hurt her. Even if you feel bad for her and want to help her. At some point or even from the start, you would feel awkward or embarrassed from this situation.
So in the end, it's just a bad choice of words and I feel the same, I just feel awkward and bad for the child. It's just pity. And that totally normal,so please guys don't jump to conclusions.