“How long?”

Matthew hesitated. Rebecca watched his expression change. He had endured her mother’s contempt and Samuel’s insults without visible discomfort, but disappointing his daughter frightened him.

“We’ll take it one day at a time,” he said.

Lucy’s mouth tightened. “That means adults don’t want to tell the truth.” She turned and walked inside, dragging the bear by one arm.

The apartment was small but clean. A wooden table stood in the center of the main room with two mismatched chairs and a child-sized stool. Tools hung in perfect order along one wall.

A curtain separated Lucy’s sleeping space from the living room. There was only one bedroom.