Near midnight, I pulled into the driveway after more than 20 hours of travel. I was exhausted, suitcase dragging behind me, craving sleep. The moment I stepped inside, that exhaustion vanished.
In the hallway’s dim light, Emily lay on the floor. My pregnant daughter.
She was curled on a thin, squeaky air mattress, the kind meant for emergencies. Her blanket had slipped down over her belly. Even asleep, she looked uncomfortable.
I dropped my suitcase.
“Emily?” I whispered. She stirred, looked up, and when she recognized me, her eyes filled with tears.
“Dad?” she said, her voice cracking as she tried to sit up, one hand bracing her back.
“You’re back early,” she said.
“I am,” I replied, kneeling beside her. “But what on earth are you doing out here? Where’s your bed?”
She hesitated, then quietly said, “Because of Linda.”
My stomach tightened.
Emily explained that Linda claimed there were no beds available, that she and Jesse had taken the rooms, and that the couch was supposedly at a repair shop. If Emily wanted to stay, this air mattress was her option.
I couldn’t speak. Because I knew it was a lie. I had personally prepared the guest room before leaving—fresh sheets, perfectly made bed, crib ready. And now my daughter was sleeping on the floor.
I wrapped my arms around her gently.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” I told her. “This isn’t right. And I promise you—this won’t stand. Get some rest. I have a plan.”
She nodded, trusting me.
I checked the guest room. Everything was untouched, exactly as I’d left it. I closed the door and returned to the hallway, letting Emily sleep.
By morning, I had a plan.
At dawn, I packed a small bag and stayed briefly at a nearby motel. When I returned around 8 a.m., I carried a large cardboard box tied with a cheap ribbon.
Linda was in the kitchen, coffee in hand. She smiled brightly and asked, “Back already? Did you bring gifts?”
“Sure did,” I replied.
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