“Stop overreacting, you’re ruining her day!” my mother hissed, grabbing my hair and pushing me over the balcony railing at my sister’s party. I blacked out. When I woke up, the upscale venue was surrounded by federal agents, and my mother was sobbing on her knees while my sister held a document and begged me…

floor of the foyer. We walked out the massive front doors without waiting for our coats. The freezing Boston air hit my face like a slap, but I felt nothing.

Behind us, chaotic voices finally erupted from the dining room—shouts from Robert, the hysterical murmurs of the aunts—but no one dared to follow us. No one tried to stop us.

We climbed into the continue reading …