I returned home from deployment three weeks ahead of schedule to surprise my husband and our four-year-old daughter

Derek released a sharp breath.

“Hannah, you need to understand something. You were gone for six months. Mom was trying to protect Lily.”

“Protect her from what?”

“From instability.”

I came dangerously close to laughing.

My four-year-old child had just spent three days by herself in a filthy house without adequate food.

And this man was accusing me of causing instability.

“Derek, you abandoned our child.”

“Stop saying that!”

“Lily is in an ambulance because of what you did.”

His tone became quieter.

“You’re making this worse than it needs to be.”

Officer Bell stepped toward the phone.

“Mr. Nolan, this is Officer Marcus Bell with the Chesapeake Police Department. Where exactly are you right now?”

Derek remained silent.

“Mr. Nolan?”

Eventually, he answered.

“On a ship.”

“We’ll need the vessel’s name and itinerary.”

“I want a lawyer.”

“That is your right.”

The call disconnected.

I remained standing where I was, staring motionlessly at the now-dark screen.