Daniel felt his old instinct return — the instinct to explain Scott’s behavior, soften Patricia’s cruelty, and protect the appearance of a family that had never protected them.

He resisted it. “All right,” he said.

At eight that morning, doctors confirmed that Lily’s operation had succeeded. She would need months of rehabilitation, follow-up scans, and strict limits on physical activity, but there was no sign of permanent neurological injury.

Daniel had to sit down when he heard it. Senator Chase, still at the hospital with Owen, covered her face and cried.

Owen insisted on being the first visitor after the medical team left. He stood beside Lily’s bed and opened his drawing. “I made you taller than the firefighters,” he explained.

Lily smiled faintly. “I’m not that tall.”