“I know exactly what I’m leaving, General,” I said. “My daughter needs me. That’s the priority.”

Part Five — Rebuilding the Sanctuary

After Samantha removed the last of her belongings under police supervision, the house on Oak Ridge Lane changed.

I didn’t only change the locks. I changed what the place felt like. I replaced the perimeter system with something simple, wired to an indoor monitor — not so I could watch for threats, but so Chloe could see who was at the door whenever the bell rang and feel like she had a say.

I repainted her bedroom a warm yellow over the dark color Samantha had chosen years earlier. I went room by room and took down every photograph and object connected to Samantha, Gertrude, or the sisters.

One rainy afternoon, Chloe stood in the hallway holding a framed wedding picture she’d found in a closet.

“Daddy,” she asked, “what should we do with this one?”