(Hailey's POV)
I pull her into my arms, and we both cry.
I don't have an answer. Not one that makes sense. Not one that won't hurt her.
How do you tell your daughter that her father is ashamed of her? That he sees her as a burden, a mistake, something to be hidden away?
"It's not about you, baby," I whisper into her hair. "You're perfect. You're wonderful. It's him. He's the one who's broken."
But I can hear how hollow the words sound.
Wendy cries herself to sleep in my arms, and I carry her back to bed.
Then I go to my room and stare at the ceiling, listening to Samuel snore down the hall.
Caroline was right to leave.
Caroline was right to expose him.
Caroline was brave enough to walk away from this nightmare.
But I?
I dug this hole myself. And jumped in without a thought for
