Her eyes flickered with apprehension, and she nodded, though her grip on the rabbit tightened.“I heard what happened, honey, and I want you to know you’re safe now. You won’t have to go there again if you don’t want to.”

Her eyes widened, a mixture of relief and confusion. “Really, Mommy?”“Yes, really. I promise,” I assured her, wrapping her in a hug. “We’ll find other ways to remember Daddy, okay? Ways that make you happy.”

That day, I contacted a therapist who specialized in children. I needed to ensure Emma knew she could express her feelings freely and heal from what she had experienced. It was also necessary to have documentation—something concrete from a professional that could support us if this situation were to escalate legally.