The next morning, I made a decision that would change everything. I knew I couldn’t let Emma return to that house—not after what I’d heard. I resolved to protect her, no matter the cost. The world might still see my in-laws as loving grandparents, but behind closed doors, they were far from the image they projected.
I approached Emma gently, conscious of how fragile she might be. She was at the breakfast table, still clutching her stuffed rabbit as if it were a lifeline. I sat down beside her, smoothing her hair back as I spoke softly, trying to mask the storm of emotions raging within me.
“Emma, sweetheart,” I began, “Can we talk about your weekends at Grandma and Grandpa’s?”
