*Lena*

I was vibrating in place. Whether from anger, fear, or nerves, I couldn’t tell at this point. Every muscle in my body was tight, strung out like a live wire about to snap. My thoughts raced, colliding with one another in a jumble of panic. My hands, clenching and unclenching at my sides, felt clammy.

The room suddenly felt too small like the walls were pressing in on me. How could he do this to me? Invite his family—tonight, of all nights? I ...