Victoria approached me then, her movements fluid and seductive. "She likes you," she murmured, trailing her fingers down my


    arm.


    "Does she know?" I asked. "That I''m her real father?"


    Victoria''s smile was enigmatic. "She knows you''re special to us."


    Before I could press further, she leaned in and kissed me. The familiar taste of her lips sent heat coursing through my veins, momentarily clouding my judgment.


    She led me to the bathroom, away from Emma''s room, her intentions clear in every touch.


    Afterward, I feigned deep sleep, keeping my breathing slow and even as Victoria slipped from the bed. Through barely-open eyes, I watched her retrieve my phone, her fingers moving quickly across the screen.


    She was looking for the evidence, just as I''d anticipated.


    Her frustrated expression told me she''d found nothing. Of course not-I wasn''t foolish enough to keep it on my phone.


    When she finally returned to bed, I allowed myself a small, secret smile. Victoria had always underestimated me. That would be


    her downfall.


    The next morning, Victoria suggested a trip to Whispering Pines Lake.


    "Emma loves swimming," she said over breakfast. "Don''t you, sweetheart?"


    Emma nodded enthusiastically, her eyes bright with excitement. "Can we go today?"


    "I''d love that," I replied, my chest tight with happiness at the prospect of spending time with my daughter.


    "Perfect," Victoria smiled. "We''ll go back to pack some things. Meet us there at noon?"


    After they left, I retrieved the small camera hidden in the bathroom vent. The tiny device had captured everything-Victoria''s search through my phone, her whispered conversation with Emma when she thought I was asleep.


    Evidence that would expose her true nature and protect what was mine.


    The weekend arrived with perfect weather for our trip to Whispering Pines Lake. The sun sparkled on the water''s surface as I


    waited for Victoria and Emma to arrive.


    When they pulled up in Victoria''s sleek car, Emma bounded out, already dressed in her swimsuit with a cover-up.


    "Dad!" she called, the word still new and precious to my ears.


    I scooped her up, savoring the weight of her in my arms. "Ready to swim, princess?"


    She nodded eagerly. "Mom says you''re going to teach me to dive!"


    +20 Bonus


    Victoria approached more slowly, her smile calcted. "I brought the underwater breathing apparatus you asked for. Emma''s so


    excited to try it."


    I nodded, grateful for her apparent cooperation. Perhaps she truly was willing to let me be part of Emma''s life.


    Theke was rtively empty, most pack members preferring the more popr spots on such a beautiful day. We found a


    secluded cove with deep, clear water-perfect for diving.


    I demonstrated the breathing apparatus to Emma, showing her how to secure it properly.


    "It''s easy," I assured her. "Just keep it in your mouth, and you can breathe underwater like a fish."


    Emma''s eyes widened with excitement. "Can we go deep?"


    "As deep as you want," I promised.


    Victoria watched from the shore, waving encouragingly as Emma and I waded into the water.


    Theke was cool and refreshing, Emma''s small hand clutching mine tightly as we ventured deeper. Her trust in me filled my


    chest with warmth.


    We submerged, the breathing apparatus working perfectly. Emma''s eyes were wide with wonder behind her swim goggles as she


    pointed at fish darting between underwater nts.


    We dove deeper, the sunlight filtering through the water in ethereal beams. This moment was everything I''d dreamed of-


    connecting with my daughter, sharing her joy and discovery.


    Then, without warning, Emma reached out and pulled the breathing apparatus from my mouth.


    Startled, I instinctively reached for it, but she held it away, shaking her head. The message in her eyes was clear-don''t try to


    take it back.


    Confusion and panic surged through me. I gestured urgently for her to return it, my lungs already beginning to burn.


    Emma''s response chilled me to my core. She pointed to her own apparatus, then made a motion of removing it. The threat was


    unmistakable--if I tried to retrieve mine, she would remove hers too.


    In that moment, understanding crashed over me with devastating rity. This had been nned. Victoria had orchestrated this


    entire scenario, using my own daughter as the instrument of my destruction.


    My lungs screamed for air as I made onest, desperate attempt to reach for my apparatus. Emma immediately moved to remove her own, her small fingers gripping the mouthpiece.


    I froze, the choice crystallizing before me with terrible simplicity. My life, or hers. There was no choice at all.


    I released my grip, watching as my breathing apparatus drifted away in the current. Emma''s hand dropped from her own


    apparatus, her mission aplished.


    +20 Bonus


    As I began to sink, the weight of betrayal pressed down on me more heavily than


    the water itself. My daughter-my flesh and blood-had been weaponized against


    me.


    (Emma''s POV)


    I watched the bubbles stop rising from where Connor had disappeared. The water was very deep and very dark below.


    Mom had exined it carefully. Connor wanted to take me away from Dad. If Connor was gone, Dad would only have me to love.


    I understood about death. When people died, they didn''te back. Like Lily.


    I swam to the surface, not looking back at the deep water where Connor had gone.