Sophia’s P.O.V

I couldn’t stop the way my knees gave out the moment the guard was shoved back, thrown like a rag doll across the floor with a force so violent the impact echoed. I barely processed the shock before I was wrapped in the only arms that had ever truly made me feel safe.

“Dad…” I gasped, barely getting the word out as my chest rose and fell with ragged, panicked breaths.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart. You’re okay now,” my father said, voice low but ...