Suzanne opened her mouth and found she had nothing to say, glancing at her brother for help. Derek jumped in to protect her.

“Skylar knew about it, Your Honor,” Derek claimed. “She just wants to play the victim now to hurt us.”

For the first time, Skylar asked the court for permission to speak. Her voice came out low, but it was incredibly firm.

“For years they told me it was my duty to support his family,” Skylar said, looking directly at the judge. “They made me feel like a bad person for being careful with money I earned myself.”

She took a deep breath, feeling the tightness in her scarred cheek.

“I worked, I paid the mortgage, I paid the bills, I lent them money—and I was still supposed to be grateful he lived with me,” she continued. “But when I said no to his sister, he threw boiling coffee in my face, and then he ordered me to hand over my things or leave my own house.