When Family Becomes The Enemy

sed for work, my mind a mess of anger and resolve. I just needed to get out, to go to my office wh

the hallway. He blocked my path to the front door, his arms c

e going?" he asked, his v

ng to keep my voice steady. I clu

day. We're going to resolve this. You're going to

e? For what? For you hitting me in front o

ing this house until you agree to do things my way. You'll

ngerously calm. "If you don't move, I will take out my phone and I will call 911. I will tell them t

ry submission. He saw the look on my face and knew I wasn't bluffing. For a moment, we stood in a

isn't over, Sarah," he hissed as I walked pas

ts of the last 24 hours in my mind. I sent Michael a long text, apologi

n the receptionist buzzed my desk. "Sarah, there are a coup

It couldn't be. Not

and there they were. My father, looking grim and self-righteous, and Leo Smith, looking ter

d. My colleagues were glancing out from the glas

his voice loud enough for the entire reception

t the drama that had unfolded. He had just been told to show up. "Hi, Sarah," he sai

l, if it wasn't so horrifying. He genuinely believed this was happening. He thought my

ce even and low, "there has been a m

no misunderstanding. We're just

completely. "I met you once, for an hour, at a dinner I was forced to attend. There i

o's smile faltered. He looked confused, like a lost puppy. He turned t

ed, grabbing my arm. "She just

hrough gritted teeth. "And you, you need to leave. Both of y

ractically twitching. A few of my coworkers had come out of their offices, drawn by the commotion. This