For twelve years, I’d endured relentless heat, whispers from classmates, and constant isolation.

I accepted every bit of it for one reason—

to protect Chloe from remembering the night our world burned down.

I sacrificed my youth.

My comfort.

My confidence.

Everything.

Just to keep those monsters buried in the darkest corner of her mind.

But as I looked into the pure hatred burning behind her beautiful eyes, a devastating realization settled over me.