“Go away! Leave me alone!”
Lucas shouted, his voice hoarse from crying and anger. He didn’t want to face anyone right now.
“Lucas, please.” Desi’s voice came softly through the closed door. “I know you’re hurting. Let me in.”
“Just go! I can’t deal with this right now.” He paced the room, his fists clenched. Memories of Lily’s pain replayed in his mind like a nightmare.
“Lucas, I can’t just stand here. You need me,” Desi said, her voice trembling with concern. “You’re not alone in this. I want to help you.”
“Help? What good is help when I can’t protect my daughter?” He slammed his fist against the wall, the pain barely registering. “Nothing you say can change that!”
“Please, just listen to me,” Desi urged, her heart breaking for him. “You need to talk about this. You can’t shut ever
