“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…

violently.

She turned on her heel, stumbling slightly on the porch step, and practically fell into the back of her SUV. We watched in silence as the car tore off down the street, leaving deep, muddy ruts in our pristine lawn.

William closed the door. The lock clicking into place sounded like a guillotine dropping.

What followed over the next seventy-two continue reading …