Playing the Game

Hazel froze in her chair, staring at the shattered porcelain scattered across the pristine floor. The dark storm brewing behind Declan's eyes tipped her over the edge. She burst into hysterical tears, her small hands pulling at her father's tailored sleeve as she begged us to stop fighting.

For the first time in my life, I didn't rush to apologize. I didn't back down or shrink into myself just to