Chapter 5 - THE MAN FROM HANNAH'S PAST
Hannah received the first message three days later.
I KNOW WHERE YOU WORK.
She stared at her phone.
Then another appeared.
YOU DON'T GET TO REPLACE MY DAUGHTER.
Her hands began shaking.
Derek Shaw.
The man whose violence had led to Lily's death.
Hannah had reported the assault, but the criminal case was still moving through the courts. Derek had been released under conditions while awaiting further proceedings.
He was not supposed to contact her.
Hannah showed the messages to the hospital social worker.
Then to the police.
I learned about them that evening.
My first instinct was ugly.
I wanted Derek brought before me.
I wanted him to understand what fear felt like.
But Hannah stopped me.
“Don't.”
I looked at her.
“He threatened you.”
“I know.”
“He hurt you.”
“I know.”
My voice rose.
“He killed your daughter.”
Hannah flinched.
I stopped.
She looked at me.
“Do you think I don't remember?”
I closed my eyes.
“I'm sorry.”
She stood.
“I don't need another dangerous man deciding what happens to my life.”
The words struck me like a slap.
She immediately looked frightened.
But I deserved them.
I took a breath.
“Tell me what you need.”
She stared.
“I need him kept away from me.”
“Then we'll help you work with the police and your attorney.”
“And I need you not to make this about revenge.”
I nodded.
“I can do that.”
She studied me.
“Can you?”
I thought about Sophia.
About the men I'd destroyed.
About how revenge had done nothing to bring her back.
“Yes,” I said.
“I can try.”
Hannah looked exhausted.
Then she whispered:
“I'm so tired of being afraid.”
I wanted to hold her.
Instead, I asked:
“Would you like someone to sit with you?”
She nodded.
So I sat beside her.
May you like
For nearly an hour, we said nothing.
And somehow, the silence felt like the first honest thing I'd offered her.
