Chapter 7: The Decision
The next morning, Sawyer woke up early and made breakfast for Gracie. He kept things light and normal, not wanting to scare her any more than she already was.
After she finished eating, he sat down across from her at the kitchen table.
“Gracie,” he said gently, “I need to talk to you about something important.”
She looked at him nervously, still holding her stuffed rabbit.
“Are you mad at me?” she asked in a small voice.
Sawyer’s heart broke a little.
“No, sweetheart. I’m not mad at you. I’m proud of you for telling me the truth.”
Gracie relaxed slightly.
Sawyer continued carefully.
“I’m going to talk to some people who can help us. People who make sure kids are safe. That means you might have to talk to them too. Would that be okay?”
Gracie thought about it for a moment, then nodded.
“Will they make me go back to living with Mom?”
Sawyer reached across the table and held her hand.
“I don’t know what will happen yet. But I promise you this — I will do everything I can to keep you safe. You won’t have to hide anymore.”
Gracie squeezed his hand.
“Okay, Daddy.”
Later that morning, while Gracie was playing in her room, Sawyer called a family law attorney he had found online. He explained the situation briefly and scheduled an appointment for the next day.
He also called Child Protective Services to follow up on the hospital report.
By the time he hung up the phone, Sawyer felt a strange sense of clarity.
He had spent years trying to keep his marriage together for Gracie’s sake. But now he realized that staying in a toxic environment was hurting her more than a divorce ever could.
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He was done protecting Caroline.
From now on, his only priority was protecting his daughter.
