My parents called at 1 A.M. screaming, “Wire $20,000—your brother’s in the ER!” I asked one question… and they dodged it. So I said, “Call your favorite daughter,” hung up, and went back to sleep. The next morning… police were at my door.

My father’s lips pressed into a line. He didn’t answer fast enough.

Green’s gaze locked on him. “Sir?”

My father’s shoulders sank. “She told me Mark needed money,” he admitted quietly. “But I didn’t know she was going to… do that.”

Mark scoffed. “So now it’s my fault?”

I turned toward him, shaking. “It is your fault. Not all of it. But a lot.”

Mark’s eyes narrowed. “You always do this.”

“What, tell the truth?” I snapped.

Green’s voice stayed even. “We’re going to step outside for a moment and make a call.”

She and Ramirez moved to the porch.

My mother turned on Emily immediately, voice high. “How could you?”

Emily’s face twisted. “How could I? How could you let this happen? You let Mark do whatever he wants and then you look at me like I’m supposed to fix it with magic!”

My father rubbed his face with both hands, older suddenly.

Mark muttered, “This is ridiculous.”

I stared at him. “You were sitting there with a mug while I was being threatened at one a.m.”

Mark shrugged, shameless. “You didn’t send it. So who cares?”

That sentence hit me like a slap.

Who cares.

My mother burst into sobs. “Mark!”

Emily’s shoulders shook harder. “I thought Olivia would forgive me. She always forgives.”