Chapter 12 - Elara’s Hand Healed Faster Than the Adults Did
Elara healed well.
The burn required dressings, follow-up visits, and careful protection.
But doctors expected normal use of the hand.
That news brought enormous relief.
Still, for weeks Elara reacted whenever anything metallic or hot came near her.
The click of a hair dryer.
Steam from a humidifier.
Even the sound of the iron being moved downstairs.
Caleb removed the iron from the nursery permanently.
Not ceremonially.
There was no point making an object into a monster.
But he changed routines.
Elara was never left alone with anyone not approved through the new care plan.
The nursery camera system was replaced with one Caleb actually understood.
Access alerts went directly to him and the caregiver.
More importantly—
Caleb stopped believing technology itself created safety.
A camera can record abuse.
It cannot replace adults willing to notice patterns.
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That lesson cost Elara too much.
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