When Family Becomes The Enemy

w, there was just a cold, awkward silence. Kevin, for once, looked uncomfortable, probably worried about

glass of whiskey, "now that the distraction is

arly wanting to leave. "It's get

rning as he focused on his plan. "We're just gett

, we have a different philosophy for our daughter. We want her to be safe, to be looked after

match for her. A man named Leo Smith. He comes from a good, humble family out

ith his family. He was a man in his late twenties who had barely finished high school, worked odd jobs on a fa

trembling with anger. "We are not havin

just got kicked out? Good. That's for the best. He would have filled your head wit

? He's honest. He's simple. He won't challenge you. He'll appreciate a smart, capable wife who can manage

king about my marriage, he was talking about my lifelong servitude. Jessica loo

k it's appropriate to talk about Sarah's life this way. Sh

off a little. You're making Jessica uncomfortable." He was more concerned about

ermined to be stopped. He slammed his g

other! Sarah has a duty to us!" He pointed a shaking finger at me. "You think your fancy job and

sold off like a piece of property to some man I don't even

even react, he lunged across the corner of t

er hit me before. The sound of the slap echoed in the silent room. Tea

t way in my own house!" he ro

ed, her hands flying to her mouth. Jessica just

't a home," I said, my voice choked with tears. "It's

t and leaned against the wood, my body trembling. I could hear muffled shouting from the dining

to the pain in my heart. For years, I had tried to understand their behavior, to find some logic in

ghter, they saw an investment. An asset they were terrified of losing. And I was finally beginn