Chapter 9: Breaking the Cycle
One night, during a harsh blizzard, the power went out. The sudden darkness terrified Lily, who began to hyperventilate, remembering the dark closets of her grandmother’s house.
Vance found her in the corner of the living room. Instead of securing the perimeter, he sat down next to her. He didn't tell her to be quiet. He didn't tell her to be tough.
""I'm scared too,"" Vance admitted in the dark. It was the truest thing he had ever said. ""But we are together. And we are safe."" He wrapped the familiar pink blanket around them both. They sat there until the storm passed, breaking the generational curse of emotional suppression.
