Her eyes flicked—just for a second—toward Daniel.
Behind his glasses… was something cold. Something dark.
The night before, he had cornered her. Grabbed her. Whispered threats no child should ever hear.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Sophie! Don’t be afraid, baby—Daddy’s here!”
I rushed forward, but security grabbed me, dragging me back.
Daniel just smiled.
Smiled.
Like he had already won.
“If the child cannot answer,” the judge sighed, raising the gavel, “the court will decide based on financial stability—”
My world shattered.
And then—
Everything changed.
Sophie suddenly wiped her tears.
Her expression shifted.
The fear… turned into something else.
Courage.
With trembling hands, she slowly rolled up her sleeves.
A gasp filled the courtroom.
Bruises.
Dark, ugly bruises covered her tiny arms. Finger marks. Cuts. Signs no child should ever carry.
“NO!” I roared, trying to break free.
My ex-wife froze in horror.
Daniel jumped to his feet. “Objection! She hurt herself playing—this is nonsense!”
But Sophie wasn’t done.
From her coat pocket, she pulled out a small, worn-out toy.
A yellow rubber duck.
My heart stopped.
I had bought it for her birthday… after skipping meals for weeks to afford it.