“Daddy… my back hurts so much I can’t sleep. Mommy told me I didn’t have the right to tell you.”

A heavy chill settled in Aaron’s chest.

Instinctively, he reached out, just to hug her… but as soon as his fingers touched Sophie’s shoulder, she let out a little moan and abruptly pulled back.

—Please… don’t touch me —she cried softly—. It hurts.

Aaron withdrew his hand instantly.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice breaking involuntarily. “I didn’t mean to… Tell me what happened.”