Chapter 7 - Rafael Refused to Call His Violence “Protection”
That evening, Rafael sat with his attorney and gave a complete account.
“I threw food at Lucille.”
“Yes.”
“I slapped her.”
“Yes.”
“I kicked Derek.”
“Yes.”
Michael looked at him carefully.
“Do you believe all of that was necessary to remove Emmett from danger?”
Rafael remained silent.
No.
Emmett was already away from Lucille by the time Rafael struck her.
Derek did charge Rafael afterward.
That confrontation had an immediate physical dimension.
But Lucille?
The slap was anger.
Retaliation.
Not rescue.
Rafael rubbed both hands over his face.
“They did that to my son.”
“I know.”
“That does not make everything you did legally or morally perfect.”
“I know.”
It was the answer Rafael needed to give.
Later, he would apologize to Emmett for one specific thing.
Not for defending him.
For making the scene more frightening after the child was already safe.
That distinction mattered.
Because Rafael did not want his son growing up believing love excused loss of control.
Lucille already believed emotion made Rafael unfit to lead.
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The worst thing he could do was refuse to examine himself because the people provoking him were worse.
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