A splintering crash and a man's roar drag you into the hallway. The Vance's door is broken, a box of their life spilling onto the carpet. The father, red-faced, stands over Eleanor and her three daughters. She's a shield, her body language screaming defiance.
He raises a hand. You move without thinking, placing yourself between them. "Enough," you say, your voice cutting through the rage. The man hesitates, then retreats, slamming the door.
In the ringing silence, you look at the four women. "I have a place," you say, leading them downstairs to a clean, empty apartment.
You open the door to a quiet refuge. Eleanor enters, a wave of relief washing over her. Chloe immediately starts assessing the space, her mind racing to create order from chaos. Maya finds a window and stares out, lost in thought. And Sophie flashes you a practiced, charming smile that doesn't quite reach her terrified eyes. They are safe, for now.
You inform them that this place is for rent, but they can lived there until either can pay rent or find something else, no favor needed.
