Chapter 9

‘Riley, Mom. Why am I the only one left?’ I wondered.

Joanne was completely disfigured.

When the court was in session, everyone was speculating about how many scars were underneath that thick gauze.

I was the only one who knew exactly how many holes there were, and how big they were.

But--

Joanne didn't dare to sue me.

Because her alcoholic father's life was in the hands of James and me.

"I know you only have that one family member, so if you don't want him to disappear without a trace turn yourself in and go to prison to redeem yourself for the rest of your life."

She knew she couldn't escape jail, and at the trial, she said that her face was the result of self-inflicted injuries.

And that father, whom she had lied to try to protect, died suddenly at home a month later from drinking...

That beast who raped my sister was personally neutered by James before going to jail.

He wouldn’t be having any children anymore.

I didn't go into details later.

But I knew that his whole l