After my stepfather injured my twin sister and me, he brought us to the hospital. My mother calmly told the doctor, “They just fell down the stairs.” My stepfather smiled, thinking he had won. But as the nurse checked my vitals, I slipped a handwritten note into her pocket, and…

He would methodically draw the heavy velvet curtains in the den, slip his golden wedding band off his finger to avoid leaving distinct impressions, and instruct our mother, Eleanor, to turn the television volume up until the floorboards vibrated with canned laughter. Then, he would force Chloe and me to stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the Persian rug continue reading …