Chapter 3: Emily Finds Her Voice
Chapter 3: Emily Finds Her Voice
At the children's hospital, Emily barely spoke.
She flinched whenever someone closed a door too loudly.
A child forensic interviewer met with her the following morning in a room filled with toys instead of desks.
No uniforms.
No pressure.
Only patience.
Little by little, Emily began talking.
She explained that Jason punished her for "breaking rules" that constantly changed. If she spilled a drink, talked too much, or even cried, she was sent outside for hours. Eventually, the punishments became more severe.
She admitted she had wanted to tell me many times.
"I didn't want you to get hurt," she whispered.
Those words hurt more than anything else.
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No child should ever believe protecting a parent is their responsibility.
That afternoon, detectives obtained search warrants for the house and electronic devices belonging to both adults.
