“We’re leaving.”
The room went dead silent.
Dr. Harris rose calmly.
“I’d like to finish the exam.”
“No,” Daniel snapped. “We’re done here.”
He grabbed Lily’s backpack too hard.
She flinched again.
That tiny movement shattered something inside me.
Because suddenly every excuse I’d made over two years came rushing back like broken glass:
Lily locking doors.
Lily avoiding hugs.
Lily going silent whenever Daniel entered a room.
Lily asking if she could sleep with the lights on.
Lily begging not to be left alone at home.
Oh God.
Oh God no.
I felt sick.
Dr. Harris handed me a prescription slip and walked us toward the front desk.
Daniel stayed close to Lily the entire time.
Too close.
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