my family had attached my value to usefulness.
If I paid bills, I was a good daughter.
If I helped Tyler, I was loyal.
If I kept my accomplishments quiet, I was considerate.
If I refused, I was selfish.
Those rules had controlled me only because I kept obeying them.
Now I wasn’t.
Three months later, the legal proceedings reached their conclusion.
Tyler accepted a plea agreement that included probation and court-ordered employment requirements.
My parents were forced to downsize their suburban home and repay the stolen money through court-mandated
