I cradled Lily closer, my mind a whirl of confusion, fear, and a creeping anger that threatened to spill over. I needed answers, but more than that, I needed to get her out of there. The party outside continued in its oblivious bubble of laughter and chatter, and I knew I had to move quickly, before anyone noticed the storm brewing inside.
Carrying Lily back through the hallway, I was careful not to draw attention. Her small hands clung to my shirt, and I could feel her trying to merge with me, seeking protection from whatever had scared her so profoundly. As we reached the backyard door, I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The image of her swollen face and the marks on her arms flashed in my mind again, fueling my determination.
Outside, the sunlight seemed too bright, too cheerful, for the realization that had upended my world. I spotted my brother, David, the host of the party, standing with a group of adults. He was laughing, gesturing animatedly about something mundane, like the perfect lawn care routine. For a second, I considered walking straight to him, demanding explanations and apologies right then and there, but the weight of Lily in my arms reminded me that her safety came first.
