His innocence was a small comfort; he didn’t understand the gravity of what had happened. Maisie sat on the couch, hugging her knees to her chest. I sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“You’re so brave, Maisie,” I said, kissing the top of her head.
“I’m so proud of you.”
Her small voice broke through the quiet. “I was scared, Mommy.”
“I know, baby.
But it’s over now. You did everything right.”
As I dialed Tom’s number, Maisie nestled closer, her trust in me a fragile, precious thing.
I promised myself I would never let anyone harm them again.
As the call connected, I steeled myself for the conversations and decisions to come. We would face this together, no matter what it took.
