I opened my eyes a moment later and reached for Daniel’s hand. “No,” I said.He searched my face, as if waiting for me to change my answer. “A baby does not give anyone permission to harm us,” I continued. “If the baby is your father’s, then the baby will have rights. The baby will have truth. The baby may one day need answers. But your father does not get to use a child as a key.”Daniel looked toward his desk, where the picture of the Shelter Room still lay.“Like the gold key?”“Exactly like the gold key.”He nodded slowly, as if understanding. “Can the baby be in the circle without Dad?”My hand moved to my stomach.“Yes,” I said. “If that is what keeps the circle safe.”Daniel seemed to relax for the first time all afternoon.“Okay.”Just okay.Such a small word for such a large fear.He relaxed against me, carefully as if mindful of the baby now in a way that almost broke me.nI put my arm around him. For a few minutes, neither of us said anything. Then his stomach growled lou
Last Updated : 2026-06-02 Read more