I said nothing to Papa after that. 

What was I supposed to say to that when it was such an obvious lie? 

I looked away from Medea, looking straight ahead, my chest tight to the point of pain and it made it difficult to breathe, a huge lump in my throat, but I still kept my chin high. 

Even though I was falling apart, I still couldn't leave. I still had to sit in this damning meeting until the end. I could leave, I could stand up and walk away, giving an excuse, but that would ...