Sunlight filtered through the curtains of the small room, casting long shadows on the floor.
Victor, a man in his early forties, sat on the sofa, staring into space, while the news played on the television. But his thoughts were far away, lost in the events of the past.
A little over a year had passed since he lost his wife, Elizaveta, the mother of his daughter Irina, in a tragic accident. The months that followed were truly chaotic for both of them. And then Olga appeared.
She was an attractive woman, with a warm smile and a charming personality. They met at work, where she had just been promoted to head of human resources. At first, their relationship was strictly professional.
Over time, occasional chats over coffee turned into more and more frequent encounters. And, without realizing it, Olga moved into his house.
A noise in the hallway brought Victor out of his thoughts.
In front of him appeared Irina, his barely seven-year-old daughter. With just one glance, Victor realized something wasn’t right. Usually cheerful and talkative, she now seemed overwhelmed, her shoulders slumped and her gaze on the floor.
“Irina, are you okay, my love?” Victor asked, getting up from the sofa.
Irina looked at him, and he immediately saw that her eyes were red, as if she’d been crying. The girl was biting her lower lip, and Victor sensed it was serious.
“Daddy, can I talk to you?” Irina whispered, barely audible.
“Of course, my love.”
Victor tapped his palm on the sofa, indicating that she should sit next to him.
Irina approached slowly and sat down, maintaining an awkward distance. Victor frowned, concerned by her unusual behavior.
“What happened, honey?” You know you can tell me everything.
Irina nervously played with the hem of her little dress, avoiding his eyes.
“I… I don’t know how to say it…”
“Whatever it is, you can trust me. I’m your dad, and I’ll always be here for you. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Victor spoke as calmly as he could, although inside he felt his anguish growing.
Irina inhaled deeply and finally looked at him.
Her eyes, so similar to his mother’s, showed fear and confusion.
“It’s about Olga, Daddy…”
Victor felt his heart stop for a second.
“What do you mean, my love?”
Irina bit her lip again, as if she were struggling to find the words.
“She… she hurts me.”
Victor’s world stopped for a moment.
“What do you mean, darling? What does she do to you?”
Tears began to stream down Irina’s cheeks.
— When you’re not home, she gets angry with me, says mean things, pushes me, or squeezes my hand hard.
Victor was in shock. His mind refused to accept what he had just heard.
— Irina, are you sure? Maybe… maybe she’s just… playing?
— No, Daddy, Irina said in a trembling voice. — It’s not a game. I’m hurting, and I’m so scared. Please, believe me.
Victor felt a storm of fear and rage boiling in his soul. He wanted to believe it was all a misunderstanding, that the girl was exaggerating or misinterpreting the situation.
But Irina’s gaze, her trembling voice… everything told him she was telling the truth.
— I believe you, my love.
Victor opened his arms, and Irina threw herself at his chest, crying. He hugged her tightly, feeling tears welling up in his eyes.
That night, Victor lay awake for a long time, reflecting.
All the small details that, in a hurry or because she wanted to move on, she had ignored returned to her mind.
The next morning, when Olga came down to breakfast, Victor watched her differently.
He followed her with his eyes: every gesture, every tone of voice.
And when Olga, unaware that he was looking, squeezed Irina’s hand too tightly while smiling falsely, Victor understood.
Without thinking twice, he made his decision.
In the following days, Olga packed her bags, and the door of the house closed behind her forever.
Irina finally smiled again.
A sincere, pure smile that filled Victor’s heart with peace.
They didn’t need anything else.
Just the two of them, together, just as it should be.
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