"Okay, we'll discuss this later. Clearly, now isn't the time," my father said, taking a few steps back. Elisabeth, who had been lounging on the couch, quietly got up and followed him out of the house.
After an indeterminate amount of time, I heard the front door close. Time still seemed to be moving in slow motion.
"Why did you get involved in this?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. Even though he was scrutinizing me closely and had even taken a step towards me, I couldn't muster the courage to meet his eyes.
My hollow, fake confidence, my unstable resolve, and the shell I hid under were all shaken to their core. A bittersweet smile spread across my lips. I usually didn't cry. Instead, I would be left alone with a pain that spread to my fingertips, sometimes smiling derisiv
