Her wrist began to improve.

The bruising faded.

Neither change put an end date on what she felt when someone raised a voice or an unfamiliar car stopped outside.

Megan described only what Hannah was comfortable sharing.

Some nights were easier than others.

Some mornings, the girls played without checking where their mother was.

Other days, one of them would follow her from room to room.

Nobody treated that as ingratitude for being safe.