“They will prosecute Brandon,” my father said, his voice trembling. “They will put him in prison, Ava. Is that what you want?”

“He committed a crime,” I said. “Several crimes.”

“He is your brother!” my father shouted.

The sound of his voice seemed to shake the rain from the air.

“And I am your daughter,” I said. “But you didn’t care about that when you ruined me.”

I turned toward Arthur’s car.

“Let’s go, Arthur,” I said.

Arthur opened the passenger door for me, keeping his eyes on my father the entire time.

My father didn’t try to stop me as I climbed into the dry warmth of the car.

He just stood in the downpour, a defeated silhouette against the headlights of his SUV.

Arthur got into the driver’s seat and locked the doors immediately.

He started the engine and put the car in reverse.

As we pulled out of the parking lot, I looked in the side mirror.

My father was still standing there, his head bowed against the storm.

“Are you alright?” Arthur asked quietly.