Chapter 73

Standing outside the window of my childhood home, I peered through the panes of glass, my heart heavy. My father stormed around the kitchen, pacing relentlessly, his voice a thunderous roar. His hands flailed wildly as he confronted Leonard, delivering a harsh shove that sent Leonard staggering backward.

In the chaos, he collided with the table's corner, yelping in pain as he clutched his head. When he pulled his hand away, I saw the blood — a sight that made my stomach churn. I strained to hear my father's words, silently pleading with Leonard to stay down. Just stay down.

My father erupted in fury, picking up a chair and hurling it at Leonard, who narrowly dodged the projectile. He then seized a glass from the table, flinging it against the basement door, sending shards skittering across the floor.

With every step, my father's rage escalated, his hair wild and his eyes gleaming with a manic intensity I recognized all too well. I gasped, covering my mouth, as he