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

The headlights of a car swept across the bedroom curtains. Sophie began to tremble violently.

“He’s here,” she sobbed. “Daddy, hide me!”

Aaron didn’t hide her. He gently settled her on the bed, slipped his phone into her hand, and murmured:

“Stay here. Lock the door. Don’t open it unless I call you with our secret code.”

She descended the stairs, each step creaking beneath her weight. Sarah entered, beaming, a shopping bag in her hand. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Aaron standing in the middle of the darkened living room.