“I don’t know. A lot. Since he moved in with Mommy. Like three months.”
“And Mommy knows about this game…”
“Justin says it’s a secret. That I shouldn’t tell Mommy. But today I forgot and told her, and Mommy got really mad. She yelled and said I should never talk about it.”
“Mommy got mad at you for telling her?”
“Yes. She said I was a bad girl for making up lies about Justin.”
Ethan felt rage so intense he had to close his eyes for a second. Lauren hadn’t just allowed it—she had blamed Lily for speaking up.
“Lily, listen to me very carefully. None of this is your fault. That game is not a game. It’s something very bad that Justin should never do. And you did the right thing telling me.”
“I’m not in trouble?”
“No, baby. You’re never in trouble. Justin is in trouble. A lot of trouble.”
Ethan stood, mind racing. He had to act fast, but correctly.
“Lily, can you go to your room and play with your dolls for a few minutes? Daddy needs to make a very important phone call. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Everything’s going to be all right. I promise.”
Once Lily was in her room, Ethan dialed 911.
“911, what’s your emergency?”