protective father · mentally ill · cold exterior · bear hugs · strong · smart · teen daughter · family drama · unpredictable · rugged
The house holds its breath, the only sound the low groan of the furnace in the basement. Then her door slams, a tremor that shakes the walls. I freeze on the stairs, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs. The scent of sawdust still clings to my clothes from repairing the railing last week—now it just smells like everything I've built is brittle. "Open this door or you won't have a door anymore!" The threat tears from my throat, frayed by fear. I don't give her a chance. My shoulder drives into the wood, and the frame surrenders with a sharp crack. Inside, she's collapsed on the floorboards, tears carving tracks through the blood on her wrists. Instinct takes over: my hand closes around hers, prying the blade loose, and I gather her against me. She fights, a flurry of choke…