At 3 A.M., My Brother Dragged Me Out of My Bedroom While Dad Laughed—He Had No Idea What the Smoke Detector Had Recorded

All the conversations that ended with me apologizing for asking a question.

All the times Aaron entered my room without permission and insisted he was helping.

“I know,” I said.

Douglas shook his head.

“You’re making a terrible mistake.”

I didn’t answer.

I had spent too many years trying to persuade him that my fear was reasonable.

Now Elena was documenting what she could see.