Chapter 15 - Caleb’s Guilt
Caleb blamed himself.
For partnering with Adrian.
For trusting him.
For letting him move in.
For not recognizing the financial problem sooner.
For failing to escape.
For letting Lila hear him.
The hospital psychologist interrupted:
“Stop.”
Caleb stared.
“You were confined while injured and dehydrated.”
“I’m her father.”
“Yes.”
“I’m supposed to protect her.”
“You tried.”
“I was under the floor.”
“Because another adult committed a crime.”
That distinction sounds obvious from outside.
Victims rarely experience obvious things cleanly.
Caleb later told me:
“The hardest part was hearing her footsteps.”
Every morning.
Lila walking above him.
Sometimes dragging toys.
Sometimes singing.
He knew she was physically close.
May you like
Could not reach her.
That helplessness became the injury that lasted longest.
