#Chapter 182: Building Bridges

“You have no right,” Dad says, his own face twisting with anger. “I have every right, as someone who cares about Esther, to speak up when I see her being mistreated. And you, sir, are mistreating her.” “How dare you!” Mom gasps. “Is she or is she not your daughter?” Miles asks them both, shifting his annoyed gaze from one to the other. “She is,” Mom says. “Of course, she is,” Dad adds. “Then why, in all of hell, does she need your permission to be included in this family?” Miles asks. “Miles, it’s okay,” I try to say, stepping toward him. I appreciate what he’s trying to do. Actually, I feel even more blooming affection for him, in his wanting to defend me. But these are still my parents. They deserve respect. And I really hate to see them fighting, even if it’s over their sometimes harsh treatment of me. “No, it isn’t, Esther. Too many times, I’ve seen you come back from this house a shell of the person you were before you went in. It takes time for you to then build