«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…

David stood up just as Olivia entered the room. «Hi, family!» Olivia’s cheerful voice rang out in the room. She held a shopping bag in one hand and her purse in the other.

Her happy smile faded a bit when she saw David’s serious expression. «Did something happen?» she asked, setting the bags on the floor. «We need to talk, Olivia,» David said in a calm but firm tone.

Olivia furrowed her brow and cast a quick glance at Emily, who looked at them with fear. «Dear, how about you go to your room? I need to talk to Olivia alone.» Emily looked at him with concern but agreed and headed to her room.

David noticed how Emily moved a little aside as she passed Olivia, as if wanting to avoid contact with her. As soon as his daughter disappeared down the hallway, he turned to Olivia, who now looked worried, not at all like usual. «David, you’re scaring me! What’s going on?» she asked.

David took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. «Emily told me some things. Things that worry me a lot.» Olivia blinked, her facial expression quickly changing, as if she was trying to process what he said.

David couldn’t tell what exactly she was feeling. Was it guilt, fear, or maybe just confusion? «What are you talking about?» she asked, trying to keep her voice calm, but he noticed a slight tremor.

Crossing his arms over his chest, David firmly replied: «Emily said you hit her when I’m not home, that you yell, push.» Olivia laughed nervously, turning away from David’s gaze. «That’s absurd! You know how much I love Emily.

I would never do that.» — «I saw the bruises, Olivia,» he said in a calm but threatening tone. «She has finger marks on her arms and legs. How do you explain that?» Olivia’s face paled. «Ah, you know how kids are, right?» she tried to smile, but the fear was obvious. «They’re always running, falling. She must have hurt herself at school or while…» David shook his head, feeling anger rising again. «Some of those bruises clearly show finger marks. Emily was very specific about who did it.»

Olivia took a step back, as if she had been hit. «And you believe her?» she said in a sharp voice. «You trust a seven-year-old girl more than me? David, think about everything we’ve been through together. Do you really think I’m capable of that?» David ran a hand through his hair, confused. «I don’t want to believe it, Olivia, but the evidence is there. Emily has never lied to me.» Olivia sighed heavily. «Darling, kids lie all the time, especially when they want attention. You don’t understand what’s happening.

She’s jealous, wants you all to herself, and makes up these stories to drive us apart.» For a moment, David felt a shadow of doubt. «Could Emily really be making all this up?» But then he remembered the fear in her eyes, the bruises, and the doubts vanished. «This isn’t her invention.

It’s all very specific, very consistent. And the bruises…» He barely finished the sentence when Olivia interrupted him, her voice full of anger. «Those bruises prove nothing! Emily is clumsy. Maybe she did it herself to get your attention.» David’s voice now trembled with indignation. «Do you really think my daughter would deliberately hurt herself to get my attention?..

Listen to what you’re saying!» Olivia realized she had gone too far and faltered, trying to compose herself. «Sorry, I didn’t mean that. It just all seems crazy. I love Emily like my own. I would never harm her!» — «Then explain why she’s afraid of you?» David insisted. «Why does she tremble when you enter the room? Why did she tell me you threatened to lock her in the closet if she came out of her room when you bring your friends over?»

Olivia’s face became even paler. David’s voice rose, unable to contain his indignation. «Look, Olivia, I don’t know what’s going on here. I believe my daughter. But I also love you very much. So I think the best thing right now is for you to leave for a while.»

Olivia lifted her head, her eyes widening. «You’re kicking me out?» — «I’m asking you to give us some time,» David corrected. «I need space to talk to Emily and figure out what’s happening. Honestly, she won’t feel safe until I sort this out.»

Now there was a thin note of desperation in Olivia’s voice. «But where will I go?» she asked. David rubbed his face with tired hands. «Stay with a friend or in a hotel. I’m even willing to pay for a room if needed. But I need you to leave.»

Olivia looked around, as if searching for a way to change the situation. But seeing the determination on David’s face, she sighed deeply. «Fine,» she muttered. «I’ll grab some things and go. But, David, I swear, this is all a big misunderstanding.» — «Not now, Olivia,» he interrupted. «Just go, please.»

She only lowered her head and headed to the bedroom. David watched her, feeling mixed emotions he could barely identify…