Listening to every word my son spoke shattered the fragile control I had over my emotions. His innocent voice, recounting the horrors he endured, cut deep into my soul. Every syllable he uttered pushed me closer to the brink of losing all sense of decency. My heart seethed with a fury so intense it threatened to consume me. How could they? How could anyone dare to hurt my son, my flesh and blood? Anger, hatred, pain, and a profound sadness swirled within me, a storm of emotions I couldn’t escape from. I wanted nothing more than to unleash vengeance upon those who had wronged him, to make them suffer for every tear he shed, for every moment of fear and despair he had to endure.
Valerie, standing by our side, offered a gentle, unwavering presence. Her compassion for Elijah was palpable, and
