My husband kidnapped our daughter to force me to sell my heirloom necklace so he could raise money to pay off his debts.
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Chapter 10 / 15
Chapter 10 - EMMA'S QUESTION
Emma asked:
“Why did Daddy hold me?”
Claire did not know how to answer.
Child therapist helped.
“He was very scared and made a dangerous choice.”
Emma frowned.
“Because of Grandma’s necklace?”
“Partly.”
“Does he love me?”
Claire closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then why?”
The question had no clean answer.
Love did not prevent harm.
That was the frightening adult truth.
Claire said:
“Sometimes people can love someone and still do something unsafe. That’s why grown-ups have rules.”
Emma thought.
“Is Daddy in trouble?”
“Yes.”
“Am I?”
“No.”
Immediate.
Important.
Emma had done nothing.
She was not leverage.
Not collateral.
May you like
Not evidence.
She was six.
