Kendra’s POV
I hated how sure he sounded. I hated how I didn’t say anything back at first. But I couldn’t keep quiet. Not now.
My voice came out a little shaky, but I looked him right in the eye. “You’re wrong, Dad. I’m happy here. Caleb is good to me. And Scott, he’s done nothing but protect me since I got here. This house, for better or worse, has given me more safety than I’ve had in years.”
He blinked, visibly thrown off. For a second, he didn’t say anything. But the silence didn’t last long.
He kept going.
“This house is no place for you, Kendra. I’ll find a way to get you out of here, baby girl.”
The guilt still hit me like a brick to the chest. Maybe even worse now, because part of me wanted to be the kind of daughter he thought I was, obedient, loyal, waiting to be saved. But
