An Unlikely Shield

Sylvie POV

I dragged my aching feet through the back door, the familiar dread twisting my stomach into tight, painful knots. Being this late meant dinner was nowhere near ready, and the table remained painfully bare. Father was going to be furious. I braced myself for the incoming blow, a shattered plate, or a screaming fit that would leave my ears ringing. But as I limped into the narrow hallway