After the trial, Ethan focused entirely on helping Lily heal. He hired the best child trauma therapist in Boston, Dr. Elena Vargas, who specialized in sexual abuse recovery.
“Mr. Carter,” Dr. Vargas explained, “Lily has a long road ahead. Child sexual abuse trauma is profound. It affects her sense of safety, trust, self-worth, boundaries…”
“Whatever it takes—time, money, anything.”
“The most important thing you can do is be consistent, stay present, and create a completely safe environment where she knows she can talk about anything without judgment or punishment.”
The first years were brutally hard. Lily had nightmares almost every night. Fear of being alone with adult men, even close family. Regressive behaviors like bedwetting. Severe anxiety. Ethan was patient. He attended every therapy session with her. Read every book on supporting child abuse survivors. Joined parent support groups. He also battled his own guilt—how had he not noticed? Why hadn’t Lily told him sooner?