She Turned On the Lights

And in the end the Thornquist family firm collapsed — and her father, under the strain of it, suffered a stroke that left him needing full-time care.

Emmerich fled the country three years later, wanted under an active wire-fraud indictment.

And Yvaine stayed, because she had no way out.

Chapter 11 — The Hostage

The Pembrooks held documents executed in her name, and they paid — barely, grudgingly — for her father’s long-term care.

Every time she thought about going to the police, Ottavia reminded her, in that smooth glass voice, that a single word would end her father’s medical coverage.