It had not.

Revenge, I discovered, is not truly satisfying; it is just loud.

What was satisfying was quieter, and it had nothing to do with them.

Freedom felt satisfying.

Freedom felt like the only thing that ever had.

The reporters could never quite accept that answer, and I understand why: it does not fit the story people want to tell about a woman who exposed her family.

They wanted the tale of righteous vengeance, the wronged sister who finally made them all pay and stood over the ruins in triumph.