“Dad, she told me if I don’t listen, she’ll make you go away too,” Lily whispered, her voice barely above a breath, yet it echoed in my ears like a siren. Her words were like ice pouring into my veins, and a cold dread settled over me.
I held her close, my mind racing. I glanced over at Claire, who stood a few feet away with a nervous smile, oblivious to the storm brewing within me. She had always seemed kind-hearted, but here was my daughter, my whole world, pleading with me to understand her fear.
“Lily,” I said softly, pulling back to look into her eyes once more. “I promise you, I will always be here for you. No one will ever take me away from you, okay?”
