raced with questions, each one more urgent than the last. Who could have done this to Lily, the spirited, joyful girl who had always been the light of their family? His heart ached with a protective fury he hadn’t felt since his days on the battlefield.
Lily tried to smile, but it was a pale imitation of the exuberant grins she used to flash him. “Hey, big brother,” she said, her voice a whisper that trembled like a fragile leaf in the wind.
He sat beside her, gently taking her hands in his own. “Lily, what happened? Who did this to you?” His voice was calm, steadier than he felt inside, but it carried the weight of his worry and anger.
She hesitated, eyes flicking to the door as if expecting someone to burst through it. Her hesitation made Nathan’s stomach churn with dread. “It’s nothing, Nathan. Just a misunderstanding. You know how things get sometimes.”
“That’s not nothing,” he insisted, his voice firm yet tender. “Lily, you can tell me anything. I’m here now. You’re safe.”
Tears welled up in her eyes again, and she squeezed his hands tightly. “I didn’t want to bother you. You’ve got enough to deal with, being over there and all. And Mom… she’s been so stressed lately.”
Nathan shook his head. “No, Lily. Whatever it is, we’re going to fix it. Together.”
Taking a deep breath, Lily began to explain. The story spilled out in halting words, punctuated by choked sobs. Their mother had been seeing someone new, a man who seemed charming at first but quickly showed a darker side. He’d become possessive and controlling, his temper flaring over the smallest things. It wasn’t long before his anger turned physical, and Lily had been caught in the crossfire.
Nathan felt a surge of rage unlike anything he’d known. He had been trained to deal with threats, to face danger head-on, yet this was different. This was personal. His family was his world, and someone had dared to harm them.
“Where is he now?” Nathan asked, his voice a low growl.
Lily shrugged, looking away. “Mom’s out with him. They think you’re still overseas. I didn’t know how to stop it, Nathan. I’m sorry.”
He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m going to take care of this. But first, we need to get you somewhere safe.”
Together, they packed a few essentials. Nathan could feel the urgency in each movement, the need to act quickly before their mother returned. He reached for his phone, calling an old army buddy who lived nearby, arranging for a place for Lily to stay.
As they left the house, Nathan glanced at the horizon, determination hardening in his chest. He had come home for peace and family, but now he was driven by a new mission: to protect Lily and return safety to their lives.
“You’re not alone anymore,” he assured her as they drove away from the house, not looking back. “We’re going to get through this, Lily. I promise.”
With every mile they put between them and danger, Nathan felt a renewed sense of purpose. The battle wasn’t over, but he knew one thing for certain: he would do whatever it took to keep his sister safe.