My Daughter Pointed at My Wife and Whispered, “Daddy… She Was There When Mommy Died.” Then I Saw What She Was Hiding on the Table…

Nathan moved faster.

He snatched the notebook off the table and stepped between Victoria and the children.

"Don't."

Victoria froze.

"That belongs to Emma," she said.

Nathan stared at her. "You just said you didn't know what Lily was talking about."

"I said the notebook belongs to Emma. I recognize it. That's all."

Behind him, Noah cried, "She tried to take it from Lily."

Nathan's grip tightened around the cover.

"Why?"

Victoria's expression shifted. For years, Nathan had trusted that face. Victoria had brought meals after Emma's funeral. She had picked the kids up from school. She had sat beside him through insurance meetings and probate paperwork. Three months ago, when friends started suggesting he should date again, Victoria had been the one person he thought might understand how impossible that felt.

Now his children were afraid of her.

That changed the entire room.

"Lily found it in Emma's coat," Victoria said. "I was worried it might upset her."

"You grabbed her backpack over a notebook?"

"She wouldn't listen."

"She's eight."

"And emotional."

Lily flinched.

Nathan's anger sharpened.

"Leave."

Victoria stared at him. "Nathan, you don't understand what you're doing."

"Get out of my house."