RAGAN POV...
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Father almost shouted, the fury in his chest clearly clawing its way up his throat, but in the end he swallowed it all back, turning away slowly and walking toward Mother, who was still sobbing uncontrollably.
Before wrapping one arm around her and the other around me, holding us close as if his own body was the last wall standing between us and the world—this, perhaps, being the only comfort he could still offer.
Even as I rested against them, I could feel his thoughts hardening, crystallizing into something unyielding.
Even if I don't want to leave… this is for the best.
'This world is cruel, and people are narrow-minded creatures who sharpen their knives at the sight of weakness.
If I keep ignoring them, one day they'll do something even worse to my son.
I won't allow that.'
His resolve settled like iron.
