I sat on the edge of Lily’s bed, my mind racing like a well-oiled machine, meticulously planning my next steps. I had faced challenges in the field, navigating complex situations and making split-second decisions. This was no different. Only this time, the battlefield was my own home, and the stakes were incredibly personal.
The first thing I did was reassure Lily. I didn’t want her to carry the weight of adult problems on her young shoulders. I wanted her to feel secure, to know that her mother was back and everything would be alright. “Lily,” I said, pulling her into a hug, “I’m going to sort this out. You focus on being a kid, okay?” She nodded, her innocence intact.
Once she was settled into bed, I moved to the living room where my parents sat together, their earlier bravado replaced by visible discomfort. I could feel their eyes on me as I sat down across from them, the air heavy with unsaid words and broken trust.
