Or even right on the front porch.
I wrapped my arms around myself, shaking violently. My fingers were going numb. My lips stiff. The cold was no longer just uncomfortable—it was pain.
I slid down against the brick wall, pulling my knees to my chest, trying to hold myself together.
Dad, I thought, tears hot against my frozen skin. Where are you?
My father, David Carter, was a senior partner at a corporate law firm downtown. Since my mom died, he buried himself in work. Late nights. Endless meetings.
Anything to avoid coming home.
Anything to avoid seeing what was right in front of him.
And me?
I was left alone with Brenda.
Completely at her mercy.
My head grew light. The world tilted. I curled tighter, shivering uncontrollably.
Then—
Headlights cut through the rain.
Bright. Blinding.
I flinched, squinting.
And then I heard it—
The deep, unmistakable rumble of my dad’s V8 engine.
No way.
It was too early.
The car pulled into the driveway.
The door opened.
My dad stepped out into the rain—no umbrella, no hesitation—
Until he saw me.
Everything about him changed in an instant.
His briefcase slipped from his hand and hit the ground.
I had never seen that look on his face before.