strange compliment.
But a week later, I heard something again. Emily had put on a new dress and was standing in front of the mirror.
Daniel looked at her and said,
“That dress really suits you. Especially the shape of your hips.”
I was in the kitchen. The glass in my hand literally froze in midair. Emily didn’t say anything.
She just gave a quick smile and changed the subject. That evening, when Daniel and I were alone, I asked him,
“Why have you been talking about Emily’s appearance like that lately?”
He stared at me silently for a few seconds. Then he laughed.
“Laura, are you serious?”
“Very.”
His smile disappeared.
“I was just trying to boost her confidence.”
“Why?”
Daniel looked away.
“Ask Emily.”
That answer worried me even more. The next day, I did. She reacted strangely too.
“Mom, please don’t make this into something bigger than
