The panic gripped me as I witnessed the look of shock and fear on my daughter’s face.

Without thinking twice, she rushed into my arms, seeking solace and protection.

As I held her tightly, I couldn’t help but notice Katie, my ex-husband’s new wife, standing there with a raised broom, looking conflicted.

My concern grew as I demanded to know what was happening.

Katie, her voice wavering, apologized and insisted that it was an accident.

However, this explanation left me with a knot in my stomach. Something didn’t add up.

How did this situation escalate to the point where my daughter needed to defend herself?

As tears continued to stream down my daughter’s face, I knew that getting to the bottom of this was crucial.

But before I could utter a word, my ex-husband appeared in the doorway, his confusion and concern evident.

In that tense moment, I couldn’t contain my worry for our daughter any longer.

I looked at him and trembled as I requested an urgent conversation involving all of us.

It was time to uncover the truth and find a way to ensure our daughter’s well-being and happiness.