“Emily, think carefully. That contract supports a lot of people.”

I stopped with my hand on the doorknob. “How interesting, Dad. When I gave up my future to support all of you, nobody asked me to think carefully.”

Outside, rain fell over the trees of River Oaks. Nathan opened the door of his black SUV. Before getting in, I looked back at the brightly lit house.

For years, I’d believed I was the one left out of the family table. That night, I realized they were the ones left out of my life.

And the worst part for my family wasn’t watching me leave. It was realizing I knew exactly which secret could destroy them.

The SUV drove through downtown Houston in the light rain—the kind that blurs city lights and makes everything look like a sad movie through wet glass.