After Graduation, I Took One Quiet Step to Protect My Future. It Turned Out to Matter

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“Emily!” she chirped, hugging me before I could step back. Her perfume flooded my entryway, sweet and sharp. “I’m so glad you were home. Can I come in?”

I wanted to say no. I should have. But refusing would have been an admission that I was afraid of her, and in my family fear was blood in the water.

“Sure,” I said, stepping aside.

She walked through continue reading …