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

Lucia shook her head through tears. “I’m sorry.”

Something inside him shattered.

“No,” Thomas said, his voice trembling. “No, sweetheart. You do not apologize.”

Veronica quickly stepped forward, recovering herself. “Thomas, listen to me. This isn’t what you think.”

He spun toward her.