One step through the gate and my legs almost gave out.
Rose was on the ground, sobbing, screaming for her dad, her mom, over and over.
Bryce was sitting on her stomach, pinning her so she couldn't get up.
He was grabbing pebbles off the ground and throwing them at her face, cursing the whole time.
"You're bad luck! Nobody even wants you! Why won't you give me your snacks!"
"This is my house! You have to do what I say, or I'll beat you to death!"
"And my uncle said your mom doesn't want you anymore! You worthless little nothing—you're gonna get sent back here to be my servant!"
While my daughter was being treated like this, Daniel sat at the wooden table with his mother, his brother, and the rest of the family, eating dinner.
As if none of this was happening.
I couldn't take another second. I charged forward, shoved Bryce off hard, and pulled Rose into my arms.
That kicked the hornet's nest.
The whole family, deaf and blind a moment ago, shot to their feet.
Daniel's mother rushed straight at me and scooped the wailing Bryce into her arms.
"My poor baby, my sweet boy, Grandma's here. Did she hurt you anywhere?"
"Let Grandma see, let Grandma see. Are you hurt? Why are you crying so hard?"