I left. I married Julian. And I never called. Not when the first insults started. Not when Julian took control of my bank accounts “for my own good.” Not when I found the texts from other women. Not even when I realized that the “wolf” my father had seen was actually a monster who thrived on my fear.

I had been too proud. Too ashamed.

Now, here he was. The irony tasted like copper in my mouth. Judge Crowe was known throughout the state as “The Reaper.” He was a