ing her next move, likely huddled with her mother, figuring out how to s

the kitchen getting a glass of water. Emily slipped in, he

whispered, he

t her, my expre

se she immediately started crying again, loud, gu

iled. "In front of ever

le principles, and public honor was chief among them. He saw Emily crying,

u boy?" he roared, his

it looks like,"

as right behind him, her face a mi

er's arms. "He said... he said he doesn't want to

ung in the air, t

onsibility for your actions, Ethan. This famil

e responsibility for," I

her belt. The sound of it sliding through the loops was sicke

sponsibility is," he sn

ut, rushing forward to grab his arm. "

t her words only confirmed my father's suspicions. She was the poor,

aside gently. "Stay

d my jaw, refusing to cry out. I took the hit, and another, and another. The

other begged, tears st

ht, my back on fire, but my eyes were fixed on Emily. She was

her to the doctor. The verdict ca

andal like this could ruin a family. The term "hooliganism" was thrown around, a vague but serious charge that could le

ace ashen. "They confirmed it.

eting his gaze w

mall room. "You will stop this foolishness right now! Y

tasting blood in my mouth. "B

ied their life savings, a small but significant sum, and took it to the Petersons. I

dn't want money. She wanted a father

past life clicking into place. Daniel Sterling's art gallery was just taking off, but he was under a cloud of suspicion f

She had concocted the story of our drunken night, knowing I was

y door. It was Emily, hol

to bring this up," she

ck sharp and insistent. "Wh

what you mean,

id, my voice low. "You're lying. And

eyes. "I'm not lying

and walked toward her. Sh

ge. "You're afraid because you know I'm righ

s starting to fall. "It'

oom as if looking for an escape. Under the immense press

sobbed, finally breaking down. "He c

t it was a start. She hadn't named Danie

, and I would not stop pulling the thread un