Chapter 7 - A Brother's Secret Journal
While Lily slept under the warm hospital blankets, Ethan reached under his pillow and pulled out a small, worn leather notebook.
The pages were filled with meticulous dates, times, and detailed accounts written in a fourteen-year-old’s small handwriting.
"I kept track of every time she hit us, Dad," Ethan murmured, his dark eyes staring at the IV drip attached to his arm.
"I took photos with an old digital camera I hid inside my mattress... I knew no one would believe us without proof."
David took the notebook with trembling fingers, reading entries detailing starved weekends and psychological terror while he worked.
"Why didn't you tell me, son? Why didn't you call me when I was in California?" David sobbed, gripping his son’s frail hand.
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"She put a gun to Lily’s head two years ago, Dad," Ethan whispered, tears finally overflowing his lashes.
"She said if I ever breathed a word to you, she’d make sure Lily never woke up from her sleep."
