Mark broke the silence first. “I’ll get the machine out,” he said quietly, taking a step toward the pool, his expression one of reluctant embarrassment. I could see the realization settling in—he hadn’t protected his daughter from cruelty, and now he was paying the price.

Rachel opened her mouth, perhaps to argue, but no words came out. Instead, there was a quiet sigh of resignation, her arms uncrossing as if acknowledging an unseen weight.

I helped Lily to her feet, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go inside,” I whispered gently. “We’ll figure this out together.”