“Mom, is that Dad?” Sophia called from the stairs.
“Go back to your room, sweetie,” Emily said, smoothing her hair. Smile. Always smile.
She opened the door. Two police officers stood there, a man and a woman.
“Mrs. Johnson?” the man asked.
“Yes… Is something wrong?” Panic rose. An accident? Had something happened to Michael?
“Ma’am,” the female officer said gently, “we’re here responding to a call from your daughter.”
Emily turned. At the top of the stairs, Sophia stood clutching a tablet, tears streaming.
“Sophia, what did you do?” Emily whispered.
Sophia descended slowly. “Mom,” she said, voice trembling but clear, “you don’t have to live like this anymore.”
“Live like what?” Emily’s heart pounded.
“What Dad does to you,” Sophia said, louder now. “It’s wrong. I asked my friends’ moms—normal husbands don’t do that.”
The male officer spoke. “Your daughter has reported severe domestic control and emotional abuse. We need to investigate.”
“Domestic… abuse? No!” Emily said automatically. “Michael’s a wonderful man—”
“Mom, don’t lie,” Sophia pleaded. “I hear everything—the calls at night, the money, how he tracks you. I know.”
The female officer knelt to Sophia’s level. “You were very brave.”
“I was scared,” Sophia sobbed, “but more scared that Mom would get sick. She can’t sleep. Her smiles are fake.”
Emily’s chest ached. She’d thought she’d hidden it.
“I have proof,” Sophia said, holding out the tablet. “Three months of it.”
Inside the folder labeled EVIDENCE were audio files, photos, screenshots. Michael’s voice: “You’d be better off gone.” A video of Emily kneeling to apologize for a misplaced sock. Holes punched in walls. GPS tracking apps.
Emily sat on the sofa, numb. It was all real.
“He’ll be home any minute,” she whispered.
“It’s okay,” the officer said. “A warrant has been issued. He’s being apprehended at the airport.”
Just then, a key rattled in the lock. “Emily!” Michael’s voice boomed. “Why isn’t the light on?”
The officers moved. The female officer stepped in front of Emily and Sophia.
Michael stormed in, face shifting from confusion to rage. “What is this? Emily, what have you—”
“Michael Johnson,” the officer said, “you’re under arr:est.”
Michael’s charm flickered back on. “On what grounds? I’ve never touched my wife!”
The officer held up the tablet. “Three months of evidence says otherwise.”
Michael’s eyes found Sophia, fury flashing before the mask returned. “Emily,” he said smoothly, “tell them this is a misunderstanding. We’re a loving couple.”
Emily looked at the man she had feared for so long. She felt Sophia’s hand slip into hers. Strength surged.
“No,” she said, her voice trembling but firm. “This is not love. You don’t control someone you love.”
Michael’s mask shattered. He hissed a threat as the handcuffs clicked.
But as the door closed behind him, Emily knew she wouldn’t regret it. She hugged her daughter—the brave, determined girl who had saved them both.
“Mom,” Sophia whispered, “we can be happy now. For real.”
In the quiet house, for the first time in years, Emily believed her.
