I followed her.
Daniel opened the cabinet beneath the utility sink and pulled out a bottle of household cleaner.
My stomach dropped.
“What are you doing?”
“Teaching her.”
“With that?”
Daniel unscrewed the cap.
I stepped between him and Sophie.
“Put it down.”
He smiled.
Not warmly.
“You always rescue her.”
“Because she’s a child.”
“Exactly. And because you keep protecting her from consequences, she behaves like one.”
I stared at him.
“She behaves like a child because she is a child.”
Sophie began crying.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I won’t drop another glass.”
Daniel pointed at her.
“See? Now she’s listening.”
He poured some cleaner into a discarded container near the sink, creating a frightening display meant to terrify her.
Then he ordered Sophie closer.
“No.”
My voice sounded different.
Daniel looked at me.
“What?”
“I said no.”
He stepped toward Sophie anyway.
I moved faster.
