Sophia watched Dominic's car leave, then walked toward Park View Place carrying her snack.

Physically and emotionally drained, she entered the empty house and numbly made her way to her room, collapsing face-first onto her bed.

She buried her face in her pillow - not crying, just quietly steadying her breathing.

She was angry, partly at how others had treated her, partly at herself for not being more composed.

Sandra had been at the table ...