Our parents always brushed it off as “sibling rivalry,” but Vanessa’s cruelty went deeper than that.

Derek squeezed my hand under the table as appetizers arrived. His parents were in good spirits, talking about their recent trip to Martha’s Vineyard. Patricia wore pearls and a cream-colored dress that probably cost more than my monthly salary as an elementary school teacher. Richard had loosened his tie slightly, laughing at something Derek said about the yacht they’d rented.