Chapter 8 - Eleven Minutes Dana spoke privately with Lily.
Grant waited outside.
Every second felt unbearable.
Through the closed door, he heard Lily's voice.
Sometimes loud.
Sometimes almost a whisper.
Dana asked about Bunny.
About breakfast.
About Vivian.
Then silence.
Finally Lily said:
“Vivian gets quiet.”
Dana's voice remained gentle.
“What happens then?”
“You have to be good fast.”
Grant closed his eyes.
Those five words stayed inside him.
You have to be good fast.
When Dana finally came out, Grant stood immediately.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s safe.”
Grant exhaled.
Dana looked directly at him.
“She should not have unsupervised contact with Vivian right now.”
Grant nodded.
“And you should not repeatedly question Lily about what happened.”
“Why?”
“Because she's three.”
Grant looked confused.
Dana continued.
“She should not become responsible for building your case.”
The words cut deeply.
Grant nodded.
“I understand.”
Dana handed him a card.
“If she tells you something voluntarily, listen.”
“And if she doesn't?”
“Let her be a child.”
Grant watched Dana leave.
Then he looked toward Lily's room.
For the first time in years, he understood that protecting his daughter did not mean controlling every detail of her life.
May you like
Sometimes it meant stepping back.
And listening.
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