The doctor got up.
Health
“I am obliged to report this.”
Lily panicked.
Health problems
“No!”
He was incorporated too quickly and immediately grimaced in pain.
“Lily, go back to bed,” I said.
“Mom, please. Please don’t let him be arrested.”
I took his face in my hands.
“Listen to me.”
He looked at me in tears.
“You’re not responsible for what happens to Marcus.”
“But he said—”
“I don’t care what he said.”
My voice was shaking.
“You are my daughter. He hurt you and then convinced you that protecting him was more important than protecting yourself.”
Family
Lily's lip trembled.
“He was crying too.”
“That doesn’t erase what he did.”
She looked away.
For the first time that night, anger began to replace my fear.
Not an uncontrolled rage.
Something cooler.
Sharper.
The type of rage that comes when you finally understand that someone you trusted has been manipulating the person you love most.
