“Papa… Mommy did something bad, but she warned me that if I told you, things would get much worse. Please help me… my back hurts so much.”
The voice of seven-year-old Lily Cross was barely audible, drifting from her pastel-themed bedroom in one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods. Julian Cross had just landed from a high-stakes business trip to Tokyo. His luggage still sat in the foyer, his heart ready to embrace his daughter. However, upon entering, he had only caught a blur of Eleanor Vance, his ex-wife, rushing down the staircase.
“I have an emergency at the salon,” Eleanor had snapped, avoiding eye contact. She sidestepped his greeting, ignored his inquiries, and bolted from the house so fast that Julian didn’t get a chance to ask how the custody week had gone. Her frantic behavior triggered an immediate sense of dread.
He walked up to Lily’s room and knocked softly. “Princess, I’m home. Come here, give Dad a squeeze.” “I’m here,” she replied monotonously. She remained frozen on the bed.
Julian entered to find her sitting on the edge of the mattress, facing the wall, drowning in a t-shirt far too large for her small frame. Her posture was unnaturally hunched.
“What’s the matter, sweetie?” he asked, moving closer. Lily stood up with agonizing slowness, moving stiffly. She turned toward him. When Julian reached out to hug her, she let out a sharp cry. “Ow, Papa! Not so hard… you’re hurting me.”
Julian pulled back, terrified. “Where does it hurt?” “My back… it’s been hurting for days. Mom says it was an accident, but I can’t lay down on it.”
