He was relieved to be home, yet uneasy.
He felt his daughter and Jessica were having a problem. He resisted their ideas. He removed his jacket and entered the living room, where Emily was reading on the couch.
She ran to him after looking up. The girl hugged him and said, “Daddy, I missed you so much!”
Michael hugged her, feeling her warmth and excitement.
“I missed you too, sweetheart,” he stroked her hair. “Where’s Jessica?”
Emily groaned and rolled her eyes. “She’s probably sleeping.”
She sounded irritated. He smiled and added, “Perfect,” leaning nearer his daughter. “Then we can talk alone.”
He led her to her bedroom by taking her hand. Michael supported his daughter, talked to her, and found out what was wrong as usual.
Michael closed the door to her room and smiled, pulling a tiny package from his pocket.
“This is for you,” he handed her. Emily was curious and opened the package to see a gorgeous bracelet with sparkling stones. Astonished, she sighed.
“I picked the prettiest one just for you,” Michael remarked, loving her delight.
“Thank you, Daddy!” Girl hugged him, virtually bouncing with pleasure. “So beautiful!” Michael was full of joy at his daughter’s pleasure.
He saw her try on the bracelet, elevating her hands to admire its shine. However, her expression altered. Emily instantly grew serious.
Michael felt like his long-awaited talk was arrived. Sitting on the bed, he signaled for his daughter to join him.
He asked, “Emily,” lifting an eyebrow, “why haven’t you gone to school all these days? We promised you’d learn more. You know its importance!”
Emily looked unhappy and dropped her head. She fiddled with her jewelry uncomfortably.
“I don’t like it when you leave and Jessica takes me,” she lamented, crying. “Please be with me!”
Michael felt a strong chest pain. He knew his regular excursions affected Emily, but he didn’t understand how badly.
“But you understand that this is my job, and it can’t be any other way,” he struggled to say, hesitating. “You understand that, sweetheart?”
Emily nodded slowly without looking. “I understand,” she whispered. “I won’t do that again.”
Michael was relieved yet doubtful. He hugged his daughter.
“Good girl,” he hugged her. “I must leave again in a few days. You’ll be strong, right?
“Again?” Emily replied, disappointed, dropping her head again.
“Yes,” he stated with a sigh. I know it’s hard, but you’re strong. You’ll be fine.”
Emily remained silent, then muttered, “Daddy, my new mom will give me the medicine again,” to her father. Save me.”
Michael froze. Words hit him like a lightning bolt. He froze, unable to believe his ears.
What did you say? His voice grew tense.
Emily retreated and bowed her head, as if regretting saying anything. She murmured, “Nothing,” averting his look.
Michael already knew that was false. The puzzle pieces of his home life began to fit in his head. After she spoke those words, he realized he had to find out what transpired between his wife and his daughter.
While investigating, the man was horrified by what he saw.
Michael remained still, pressed against the hallway wall. Remembering Emily’s statements regarding the “medicine,” he gently unlocked her bedroom door late that night. Jessica entered Emily’s room with a little spoon and black bottle. Emily was partly asleep but willing to wiggle and escape Jessica’s offerings.
The hallway nightlight added to the ominous atmosphere. Michael looked through the door’s thin opening, his heart racing. Jessica hissed, “Take this or I’ll tell your dad you lied. I won’t ask gently again.” She softly raised Emily’s chin, but Michael hadn’t seen her eyes’ harshness.
Emily swallowed the drink, coughed, and sobbed. Jessica massaged her hair mechanically, making Michael queasy. Emily drank the “medicine,” and Jessica left the room unaffected.
Michael slipped inside and ran to Emily after Jessica vanished down the corridor. Drooping eyelids, she gazed at him groggy. “Daddy…,” she muttered, half-conscious. He saw her anxiety and perplexity in her eyes. Blood boiled. He overlooked all these signs—how?
He waited with her until she fell asleep to discover what Jessica was feeding Emily. He remembered Emily expressing a harsh taste and Emily stating she felt dizzy as Jessica tucked her in. Remorse and rage filled him. He was meant to safeguard his daughter, but he only discovered something was really wrong.
Michael waited for Jessica to wake up the next morning. She greeted him in the kitchen with a half-smile like usual. Coffee in hand, she sat at the kitchen table.
“Morning,” she murmured nonchalantly, as if the night before had been normal.
Michael forced himself to speak calmly. “Morning.” He sat across from her to calm down. “Jessica… I spotted you in Emily’s room last night.”
She froze, her grin gone. “What are you discussing?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” he added quietly. She got medication from you. Her health is fine. Why would you give her anything without informing me?
Jessica glanced into the living area, and he sensed her unease. Cleared her throat. Michael, it’s only to help her sleep. She has nightmares. I wanted to help.”
Michael said, “You never mentioned nightmares, and Emily never told me about them either.” “If you wanted to help, why not tell me?”
Her lips were thinly lined. He could see she wanted to dominate the story. “I didn’t want to bother you. You’re often away, so I tried to be responsible. The situation was minor. I researched it online.”
Frustration grew in Michael. “Why is Emily afraid of you? Why does she say you give her dizzy medicine? She appears frightened. That’s only for nightmares?
Jessica jumped up hastily, her chair scraping the tile, red-faced. “I’m not evil, Michael. You have no idea what she goes through daily while you’re away. She can’t sleep, acts out, and requires calming. I wanted the best for her.”
“That’s not your call to make, especially not behind my back,” he stood. “If she has trouble sleeping, we see a doctor, not feed her something you found online.’”
Jessica didn’t reply. She looked at him for vulnerability. Finally, “I’ve done nothing wrong,” she snarled. You like it or not, I’m her mommy. If you can’t take my style—”
She stopped talking as Michael’s gaze flared with unanticipated wrath. “I think you need to leave,” he added, standing aside to open the door. Jessica stood there, tensely looking between fury and shock. Finally, she rushed to the bedroom, shut the door, and packed.
Shaking, Michael breathed. He had never pictured his marriage going this way, but after seeing it, he knew. Emily’s safety was paramount, thus Jessica’s mistreatment had to end.
Michael stayed on the couch with Emily after Jessica left the house, still upset. The bracelet he gave her was twisted eagerly.
“Daddy, is she gone?” Emily asked quietly, crying.
Michael nodded with an arm around her. “She’s gone, sweetheart. Shame on me for not seeing what was going sooner. Now you’re safe.”
Emily silently wept with her face in his chest. While holding her, Michael let her tears soak his shirt. He felt righteous for the first time in centuries. Despite not knowing the future, he felt he couldn’t leave his daughter with someone he hardly knew.
Guilt from Emily’s plea for aid lifted from his shoulders. But that made him realize he needed to change. Emily suffered because his job kept him away too much.
Over the next several days, Michael sought legal guidance and planned a family counselor consultation for Emily’s emotional needs. He also made a pediatrician appointment. Michael carried the bottle Jessica had been giving Emily to the doctor in case it was hazardous. Although the doctor confirmed the medicine was a moderate sedative and not a prohibited substance, adults should not give children this medication without a prescription.
Michael was relieved and furious. Even a weak dose may harm Emily and make her worried about being alone with Jessica. A wake-up call. He couldn’t trust someone he didn’t know to care for Emily.
He took time off for Emily. The days were spent conversing, playing board games, and listening to music. She resumed school. Her eyes slowly lost their worn, terrified appearance.
Emily told her father, “Daddy, I’m glad it’s just us right now,” as they watched one of her favorite movies in the living room.
Michael felt warmth and remorse. “I’m sorry I put you in that position,” he replied, tenderly caressing her hair. “I’ll do better for you.”
Emily nodded, hugging him. Her words, “You’re the best dad in the world,” brought tears to his eyes.
A gentle hug followed his kiss on her head. You’re the finest daughter ever. I adore you.”
Michael discovered after a few weeks that not all new starts last. He married Jessica prematurely to fill a need and give Emily a mother figure. Rapid action can occasionally backfire. His relationship with his daughter was most important.
After consulting a psychologist, he requested a work transfer to limit his travel. He earned less but was available when Emily needed him. It was a concession he should have made long ago.
Michael understood that true love for his kid required putting her safety and happiness first, even if it meant leaving a toxic relationship. Emily needed protection, a voice, and her father to listen and trust her when she claimed anything was wrong. When we safeguard what counts, our closest relationships can strengthen.
Michael and Emily became closer and more bonded by facing the crisis. Emily went to class knowing her dad would support her. Michael learned that some cautions must be heeded, no matter how busy. He swore to never ignore the subtle pleas for aid from someone he loved most.
Jessica could talk later—maybe she thought she was “helping,” but Michael and Emily needed space and stability. It was crucial that Emily felt safe again and that her father would always support her.
Michael truly meant, “We can handle anything together,” to Emily. The hardest experiences teach the most, and this one taught them trust and communication. They discovered that rushing into a new family dynamic might cause miscommunication and injury. Further, they would carefully select who entered their life and how.
They spoke, cooked basic dinners, and laughed at ridiculous jokes in the evenings. Emily became stronger and more hopeful every day, and Michael became more confident that he was making the right choice for them.
Love is about listening, caring, and making your loved ones feel secure every day, not simply providing a home. Now Emily understood. As did Michael.
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