Vanessa smirked.
“She’s lying. She’s always making up stories.”
But Emily’s father said nothing.
Instead, he walked to the bookshelf and picked up a small decorative clock.
He pressed a hidden button.
A screen on the wall suddenly lit up.
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
The security camera footage began to play.
There she was…
Ordering Emily to scrub the floors.
Throwing the mop at her.
Laughing while the little girl cried.
The room fell completely silent.
Emily hid behind her father.
Vanessa’s hands began to shake.
“I… I can explain.”
The father looked at her with tears in his eyes.
“No.”
He wrapped Emily in a tight hug.
“You’ll never hurt my daughter again.”
Minutes later, the police arrived.
As Vanessa was led away, Emily whispered,
“Are you leaving me again, Daddy?”
He knelt in front of her, kissed her forehead, and smiled through tears.
“Never again.”
For the first time in years, Emily finally felt safe.
