The door creaked behind me. Leo stepped out and handed me a mug of tea.

“You did good today, Mom,” he said, leaning on the railing beside me.

“We all did,” I replied, taking a sip. “How do you feel?”

“Like I don’t have to be afraid of him anymore.” He looked up at the stars. “And like I don’t have to be afraid of being weak. Because true strength isn’t about pushing people down, is it?”

“No, sweetheart,” I said, putting my arm around his shoulders. “True strength is knowing when to stand up, when to hold the line, and when to let the truth do the fighting for you.”

I looked back through the sliding glass door. Greg was at the sink washing dishes beside Chloe. My mother was reading a book to Mia on the couch.