“Dad… My Back Hurts So Bad I Can’t Sleep. Mom Told Me Not to Tell You.” I Had Just Walked In From a Business Trip

Normal paperwork.

No desperate escape.

PART 50 — THE NEW HOUSE

Single-story.

Smaller yard.

Huge maple tree.

Lily chose a room facing the backyard.

First request:

“Can the door have one of those round handles?”

I froze.