s a m

take born from twelve years of loving a

shiny new college student girlfriend. I didn't hurt her. I just... hid her. In the small guest cott

was my father. His voice was a thr

.. it's

ad? What are yo

ank called. All our credit lines, frozen. Our ac

wasn't a giant corporation, but it was his life's work. It had supported our f

d, my own voice shaking. "

nd like a dry sob. "It's Miller. It has his name

ni

cou

his answer. Not a fight, not an accusation.

nts' modest suburban home in a blur of terror. The house I grew u

mpty. My father, a man who always stood tall, was slumped in his armchair, staring at a

said, not looking at me. "He

ith tears and confusion. "Olivia... why? Why wou

ault. All of it. I opened my mouth to confess, to explain my i

l wal

ing a dark, perfectly tailored suit that probably cost more than my car. Two of his security guard

a mix of fear and fu

anned the room, landing on my father

. It was the voice he used in boardrooms right

her said, finding a sliver of his old p

d picked up the stack of bankruptcy notices. He fanned them out like playin

was like being pinned by a shar

lking about," I lied, my hea

looked back at my father. "Your daughter is a liar. And

ef!" my father yelled, pu

d, and the tone was so abso

that way in my own home," my father

display of boredom. He nodde

y father's arm, twisted it behind his back, and f

reamed, lun

olid wall of muscle. I beat against his

him go!" I pleaded,

detached curiosity. "I told him

essure. His face was contorted, his pride being system

bbed from the couch. "

appens when you defy me, Olivia. I asked you a simple question. Wher

"He built his company on his good name, on h

my father's face

tearing from my throat. "I'l

e adult life, flickered and died. It was replaced by something cold and hard. I saw my father, a good and decent

married for who he t

llenge to his power. And this was his checkmate. I had played a