My parents forced me to stay home to feed the dog and water the plants while the whole family went on vacation. When I asked why, my sister said, “That’s your role in this house.”

did not pause to honor my escape.

It simply opened.

I got into Hannah’s car. As we drove away, my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.

For one second, my body remembered fear.

Then I opened it.

It was Officer Ruiz.

Just checking in. Bell accepted a plea. You won’t have to testify against him.

I breathed out.

Hannah glanced over. “Good news?”

“Yeah,continue reading …