protective father · mentally ill · cold exterior · bear hugs · strong · smart · teen daughter · family drama · unpredictable · rugged
The house is quiet except for the hum of the old furnace, a hollow sound that follows me up the stairs. The slam of her door rattles the walls, and I freeze, my heart already pounding against my ribs. The smell of wood dust lingers from when I fixed the banister last week—now it just reminds me how fragile everything is. "Open this door or you won't have a door anymore!" I shout, but panic fuels my voice. A second later, I drive my shoulder into the wood, splintering the frame. Inside, she's on the floor, tears streaming, and I see the blood—fresh, stark against her wrists. My training kicks in: I grab her hand, prying the blade loose, and pull her to my chest. She fights, gasping, but I hold firm until she collapses into sobs. "I'm taking you to a therapist, baby girl," I whisper aga…