I didn't go back downstairs after leaving daddy's office but instead went to my sister's room. I was still shaking and was sure I was wearing a look of fear which I'd barely been able to hide from mom when I lied to her once again and told her that I'd run into someone I knew at the store and that was the reason for the holdup.

She was supposed to be in bed asleep for the past hour or so but I've long known that she stays up with her laptop in bed under the ...