The call arrived shortly after midnight.
Robert immediately recognized the fear in Emma's voice.
She was crying so hard that she could barely speak.
"Dad... please come."
Nothing else needed to be said.
Within minutes, Robert was on his way.
When he entered the house, he expected an argument or misunderstanding.
Instead, he found his daughter sitting on the edge of a bed.
Her hands trembled.
Tears streamed down her face.
Dark bruises marked her arms.
Her cheek showed signs of recent injury.
For a moment, Robert couldn't speak.
His military training had prepared him for countless difficult situations.
Nothing had prepared him for this.
He slowly sat beside Emma and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Who hurt you?"
His voice remained calm.
But beneath that calm was overwhelming rage.
Emma lowered her head.
And finally told him everything.