Then I heard water running.

The bathroom door was slightly open.

Light spilled into the hallway.

My heart started racing.

I stepped closer…

and looked inside.

PART 5: WHAT I SAW

Ryan was kneeling beside the tub.

Emily stood still.

Too still.

He gently pressed a towel against her arm.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “You’re strong. Don’t let them see you cry.”

Emily didn’t respond.

She didn’t move.

And suddenly, everything shifted.

This wasn’t what I had feared.

But it wasn’t simple either.

She had been hurt.

Again and again.

Not here—

but somewhere else.

Continued on the next page