“How about french fries for dinner?” he suggested, trying to inject some normalcy. Emily offered a small, tentative smile. “Maybe with bacon?” “Anything you want, sweetie,” David replied, his heart warming at the sight of her smile. Yet, as the night wore on, he couldn’t shake his thoughts of Olivia. He had loved her. The betrayal kept him awake all night.
By morning, over breakfast, David had formulated a plan. “Emily, honey,” he started, stirring his coffee. “I’ve been thinking about everything.” Emily looked up from her cereal, her big brown eyes wary. “About Olivia?” “Yes. And about what you told me. I trust you completely.” “Go on, Dad,” she said, her voice trembling as if anticipating bad news.
David sighed. “I need to see it with my own eyes. To protect you better, and to know exactly what I’m dealing with.” Emily dropped her spoon, it clattered loudly against the bowl. “You mean you’re letting her come back?” “Just for a week,” David rushed to reassure her, seeing the panic rise. “I will pretend to go to work, but I’ll actually be hiding in your closet. I want to see how she behaves when she thinks I’m gone. I want to record it.”
“But Dad, she might hurt me if she thinks you’re gone,” Emily whispered.
“I won’t let that happen. I’ll be right there, watching through the crack in the door. If she tries anything, I will stop her instantly. Do you trust me?” Emily pressed her face into his chest. “I trust you, Dad. But I’m scared.” “I’m scared too,” he admitted. “But we have to do this to make sure she can never hurt you again.”
They spent the next few days preparing. David called Olivia, feigning guilt, and asked her to come back to talk things over. She agreed immediately, her voice dripping with an enthusiasm that David now recognized as false tenderness.
The night before “The Big Day,” father and daughter reviewed the plan on the couch. “Remember,” David said, his voice serious. “Tomorrow, we act normal. I leave for work, then sneak back into the closet.”
Emily nodded, gripping her bear. “And I pretend everything is fine.” “Exactly. If she suspects anything, the plan fails.” “I’ll try, Dad. But what if she hurts me before you can get out?” “I will be watching like a hawk,” David assured her. “And remember the code word. If you feel threatened, scream it.”
“Strawberry ice cream,” Emily recited. “Exactly. Strawberry ice cream. No matter what happens, I am proud of you.”
Morning came too soon. David woke before dawn, his stomach in knots. When he went to wake Emily, she was already awake, eyes wide. “Ready?” he asked softly. “Ready, Dad,” she nodded. They ate breakfast in tense silence. The doorbell rang as David finished the dishes. “That’s her.”
He knelt before Emily. “Act normal. I’ll be nearby.” He opened the door to find Olivia wearing a nervous, hopeful smile. “Hi, darling. Thanks for letting me come.” David forced a smile. “Come in. I’m just heading to work.”
Olivia entered, scanning the room. Seeing Emily, her smile widened. “Emily, dear! I missed you!” Emily muttered a hello without looking up. David announced his departure, kissed Emily, whispered “I’m nearby,” and left.
He waited in the hallway for a few minutes, then silently unlocked the door and slipped back in. Knowing Olivia’s routine involving a long morning shower, he crept into Emily’s bedroom closet, leaving the door slightly ajar…
