HIS NEIGHBOR WOULDN’T STOP REPORTING THE SOUND OF A GIRL CRYING INSIDE HIS HOUSE—THEN HE HID BENEATH HIS DAUGHTER’S BED AND HEARD HER PLEAD FOR SOMEONE TO SPARE HER

He held her like something sacred and fragile and stronger than he deserved.

“I love you, Dad,” she whispered.

He closed his eyes. “I love you more than my own life.”

“I know now.”

That was enough.