«Daddy, don’t leave me with the new mom, she comes to do bad things. Hidden in the closet, the father FROZE from what he saw…

«I’m sorry.» They sat like that for several minutes while David stroked Emily’s hair until her sobs began to subside. When she finally calmed down, David pulled back a little to look into her eyes.

«Emily, I need you to tell me everything.» Emily wiped her tears with the back of her hand. «I think it started right after Aunt Olivia moved in with us. At first, she just yelled, but then she started pushing me and squeezing my arms hard if I did something she didn’t like. Sometimes she pinches me when no one is looking,» Emily added, lowering her gaze as if she was ashamed. David felt growing rage.

How could he not have noticed what was happening to his girl? «Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier, Emily?» The girl shrugged, clearly feeling uncomfortable. «I was scared. Aunt Olivia said that if I told, you’d get angry and send me to an orphanage. She said no one would believe me because I’m just a stupid girl and she’s an adult.» David felt his heart breaking. «My dear, I would never send you anywhere. You’re the most important thing in my life, and I’ll always believe you and protect you.» Emily slowly nodded, but David saw that doubts still lingered in her eyes. «Do you promise you won’t get mad at me?» — «I promise, dear. It’s not your fault.» David kissed her forehead and hugged her again. A moment later, he stood up…

«Emily, I need to see if you have any bruises. Can you show me where Olivia hit you?» David asked with a lump in his throat. Emily, embarrassed, nodded and rolled up the sleeves of her dress.

David could barely hide his shock and horror when he saw the finger marks on his daughter’s arms. Some were already yellowish, others still fresh with purple bruises. «Oh my God!» David whispered, feeling his stomach churn at the sight.

«Emily, do you have any other bruises?» The girl nodded and lifted the hem of her dress, revealing her legs. There were marks there too, some clearly outlining hands. David closed his eyes for a moment, trying to cope with the wave of guilt and anger washing over him.

When he opened them, he saw Emily’s frightened gaze. «Dad, are you mad?» she asked in a trembling voice. «Not at you, dear. I’m mad at Olivia for hitting you, and at myself for not noticing it earlier.»

He knelt in front of his daughter, holding her hand. «This isn’t your fault, understand?» — «I know, Dad. Olivia is really good at pretending. She always looks different when you’re around,» Emily replied with wisdom beyond her years. David realized, recalling all the times he had seen Olivia behave with Emily.

She always seemed so kind and patient. How could he have been so blind? «Emily, I need you to tell me everything Olivia does when I’m not here. Can you do that?» Emily hesitated, and David saw fear in her eyes.

«When you go to work, she changes. She becomes cold and says I’m a burden, that I ruined her life when she moved in here.» Emily took a deep breath, almost whispering. «And she says other things too.» — «What else does she say?» David asked, trying to stay calm. «She says I’m dumb, that I’m good for nothing, and that you don’t really love me, that’s why you work so long.»

Emily’s voice began to tremble, and David felt a tightness in his chest. «That’s not true, Emily. I love you more than anything in the world. You’re the most important to me.» Emily nodded, but David could see that Olivia’s words had left deep scars on his little girl’s soul. «When was the last time she hit you?»

Emily thought for a moment. «Yesterday, when you came home late from work. I was watching TV and waiting for you, but she got mad, grabbed my arm, and pushed me into my room. She told me to go to sleep.»

David closed his eyes, recalling the previous evening. He had indeed come home late, tired after a long day. Olivia greeted him with a smile, saying Emily was already asleep. He went into his daughter’s room, kissed her goodnight, and she was fast asleep. Now he understood she might have been pretending. «Emily, is there anything else I need to know? Even if it seems small, it could be important.»

Emily pondered for a few seconds, then said: «Sometimes, when you’re on duty, she invites her friends over. They drink wine and talk loudly. Once I woke up thirsty and went to the kitchen, but she got mad, grabbed me by the hair, and locked me back in my room. She said if I came out again, she’d lock me in the closet all night.»

The anger David felt only intensified. How could Olivia threaten his daughter? How could she be so different from the woman he thought he knew? «Emily, you were very brave to tell me all this. I promise I’ll handle this situation.

Olivia will never hurt you again.» — «Okay.» Emily’s gaze expressed a mix of hope and fear. «Do you promise, Dad?» she asked in a tearful voice. «I promise. From now on, everything will be different.» He hugged his daughter tightly, feeling her body tremble. At that moment, the sound of a key in the door made them freeze…

Emily clung to him even tighter. «It’s Olivia!» she whispered, her voice full of fear. David looked into his daughter’s eyes. «Don’t worry, my dear. I won’t let her hurt you.» Emily nodded, and her big frightened eyes turned to the door…