The tears finally broke free, hot streaks down her face. "I was supposed to meet Joey at his parents' house. But I stopped by a bar instead. I drowned myself until the world blurred, and I lost him because of you. Because of your lies. Your secrets. Your betrayal." She looked at him through her tears. "You ruined me."
Tom moved closer to his daughter, his shadow stretching under the streetlight, and grabbed her by the arm roughly. His grip was iron. "If you breathe a word about this to your mother or brother…"
Sylvia jerked her arm free. "What? What will you do? There is nothing more you can do to hurt me. Besides," she said, straightening her coat, chin high, "I would never break Mom's heart like that." Her words landed like a slap, and before he could respond, she spun on her heel and stormed back toward the compound.
