Vera stood there in an oversized hoodie, arms crossed, eyes shadowed. She had her father's sharp features but none of his coldness.
"You don't need to say it," she said as she walked down slowly. "I know what kind of man he is."
Valerie looked at her daughter, guilt swimming in her eyes. "I never wanted you to carry that weight, Vera."
"I already do." Vera sat down, straight-backed and steady. "So don't keep me out of this. If you're going to see him, I'm coming too."
Ethan blinked. "You don't have to do that."
"I do. He's still my father. And I want him to look me in the eye and see what he lost. What he destroyed. Maybe then he'll understand that he has no more control."
Valerie hesitated, clearly torn. She had spent years protecting her daughter from that man, his rage, his lies, his darkness. But she also saw the fire in Vera's eyes, and maybe… she needed to let her face it.
"Fine," Valerie said. "But I'm not letting you out of my sight in that room."
