AFTER MY SISTER’S VIOLENT ATTACK, DAD SAID WE’D HANDLE IT AT HOME — BUT THE ER DOCTOR SAW MY X-RAYS AND MADE ONE CALL.

My parents didn't give up. They were wealthy, and they cared deeply about their reputation in the community. Having one daughter in jail and the other in state custody was a PR nightmare they couldn't afford.

They hired a shark of a defense attorney named Richard Vance.

Two weeks after the incident, we had the preliminary custody and bail hearing. Martha wheeled me into the courtroom. My leg was still in a cast, and my shoulder throbbed.

Vanessa was brought in wearing a county jail uniform. The orange jumpsuit clashed horribly with her skin tone. She glared at me from across the aisle, her eyes filled with toxic venom.

Mr. Vance stood up and addressed the judge.

"Your Honor, this is a tragic misunderstanding," Vance proclaimed smoothly. "Clara has a documented history of clumsiness and mental instability. She is known to act out for attention. The jaw injury years ago was a bicycle accident that Clara herself begged her parents not to report because she was embarrassed. This recent incident was a tragic fall. Clara is a troubled teen lashing out at a loving family."

I felt the air leave my lungs. They were trying to call me crazy. They were trying to say I did this to myself.