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

That hurt him more than anything else.

She was afraid he had heard the truth.

Afraid he would judge her.

Afraid he wouldn’t believe her.

Thomas turned toward her carefully. “Mija…”