Chapter 2: Emily Finally Speaks
Officer Maria gently guided Emily to the living room while Daniel remained with Thomas.
"You're safe," Maria said softly. "Nobody here can hurt you."
Emily held her stuffed rabbit so tightly that her knuckles turned white. For several minutes, she said nothing. Then tears began rolling down her cheeks.
"My daddy gets angry," she whispered.
Maria listened without interrupting.
Emily explained that she was often left alone for long periods and was threatened whenever she tried to tell teachers or neighbors that something was wrong. She said she was scared all the time and didn't know who she could trust.
As Emily spoke, Maria noticed how carefully she chose every word, as if she had spent years being afraid to say the wrong thing.
Meanwhile, Daniel discovered inconsistencies in Thomas's statements. The more questions he asked, the more nervous the man became.
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When child protective services arrived, Emily immediately moved closer to Maria.
It was the first sign that she finally believed someone was there to help her.
