My husband hammered a nail into our 7-year-old daughter’s foot to force her to study instead of running, ignoring her bloody screams. When my father burst in to save her, my husband brutally smashed the heavy hammer into his head, leaving him bleeding on the floor.

Part 2

For a moment, I couldn’t understand what the officer had just told me.

My father had called 911 before he entered the bedroom.

That meant he hadn’t simply stumbled into a terrible situation. He had heard something, seen something, or feared something serious enough to call for help before he ever crossed that doorway.

I looked toward the stretcher.

“Is my father going to be okay?”

The paramedic glanced at me, then back at my father.

“We’re taking him to the hospital now. He’s breathing, but he has a serious head injury. The doctors need to examine him immediately.”

My knees nearly gave way.

My daughter reached for my hand. I bent down and wrapped my arms around her carefully, terrified of hurting her foot.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy’s here.”

She pressed her face against my shoulder.

“Is Daddy coming with us?”

I couldn’t answer.