I REMARRIED AFTER MY WIFE’S PASSING — WHEN I RETURNED FROM A BUSINESS TRIP, MY DAUGHTER SAID, “DADDY, NEW MOM IS DIFFERENT WHEN YOU’RE GONE.”
It had been two years since my wife passed when I decided to remarry. My 5-year-old daughter, Sophie, and I moved into my new wife Amelia’s big house, inherited from her late parents. Amelia seemed kind and patient, a ray of light in our lives. At least, at first.
One evening, after a week-long business trip, Sophie hugged me tightly and whispered, “DADDY, NEW MOM IS DIFFERENT WHEN YOU’RE GONE.” Her voice shook, sending a chill through me.
“What do you mean, sweetheart?” I asked gently, kneeling to meet her eyes.
“She locks herself in the attic,” Sophie said. “I HEAR WEIRD NOISES. IT’S SCARY. SHE SAYS I CAN’T GO IN. AND… SHE’S MEAN.”
I was stunned. “Why do you say she’s mean, sweetheart?” I asked, my heart trembling. “She makes me clean my room all alone and won’t give me ice cream, even when I’m good,” Sophie replied.
The locked room struck me. I’d noticed Amelia going in there but thought it was her personal space. Her behavior toward Sophie also deeply unsettled me. Was I wrong to bring her into our lives?
That night, unable to sleep, I heard Amelia’s soft footsteps heading to the attic. I followed her. She went inside the room and didn’t lock the door. My heart raced. Acting on impulse, I quickly opened the door and burst into the room. ⬇️