“Because every time I tried to show you the truth, this family looked away,” I said. My voice was calm, but the coldness in it made Chloe flinch. “You didn’t want a wounded veteran.

You didn’t want a warrior with nightmares. You wanted the easy sister. The one who paid the bills, fixed the problems, and smiled while Greg belittled her, so you wouldn’t have to face your own choices.”

I looked at Chloe, crying silently. “I let him humiliate me because it kept the peace in your house. I let myself be small so Greg could feel big. And I’ve just realized I’ve been teaching my son that peace is worth the price of his dignity.”

I put my hand on Leo’s uninjured shoulder. “Never again.”

I turned to Vance. “Thank you, Colonel. For the air support.”

Vance nodded sharply, saluted me with two fingers to his brow, and turned, limping slowly back toward the gate.