Chapter 3: The Baby Arrives

Chapter 3: The Baby Arrives
Two days later, Anna went into labor.
During one painful contraction she grabbed my hand.
"Promise me something."
"Anything."
"Promise our child will never grow up believing love looks like control."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I promise."
Six hours later...
Our daughter entered the world.
The nurse gently placed her into Anna's arms.
The room became perfectly silent.
Every sleepless night...
Every cruel word...
Every tear...
Suddenly felt worth surviving.
I held both of them close.
At that moment I realized something.
Protecting my family wasn't just about providing for them.
May you like
Sometimes...
Protection meant walking away from people who shared your blood.