I’m a single dad to my daughter Emma, 6. It’s been just the two of us since her mom left when she was a baby. When I met Sarah, my now fiancée, she seemed great with Emma. I thought she’d be a great stepmom so I proposed to her.

But the day before our wedding, Emma came to me all disturbed, she didn’t look like my cheerful and happy baby girl. She stretched out a hand with a piece of paper to me. When I saw what was in it, my heart stopped and I just went pale. I knew I had to cancel the wedding immediately because, behind my back, Sarah was doing terrible things to Emma.

That was a drawing. I looked down, expecting one of her usual doodles of us all holding hands, maybe with some extra hearts around. But this one… it was different.

I was in a suit, Sarah in a wedding dress, and between us stood a little girl with her face crossed out in a giant red ‘X.’

I felt my stomach twist. “Emma, what’s this? Why’d you cross out the little girl?” I asked.

Then, in the smallest, most heart-wrenching voice, she whispered:

“That’s me, Daddy. Sarah said… there won’t be room for me anymore. When you get married and have new kids, I won’t be welcome.”

I stared at her, my heart breaking into pieces. “What do you mean, sweetheart?”

Emma wiped at her eyes. “Sarah said I can’t stay with you once you get married.”

My heart ripped apart. “What else did she say, sweetie?”

“She said when you and her have babies, I’ll have to go live somewhere else… because there won’t be enough love for me. She’s already looking for someone who wants me.”

Her bottom lip quivered. “Is that true, Daddy?”

For a second, I just stood there, staring at Emma like she’d spoken in another language.

I dropped to my knees and pulled Emma into my arms. “Oh God, no. Sweetie, you’re not going anywhere. I promise you.”

My voice trembled. I could feel the fury rising, but I couldn’t let her see it. She held onto me so tightly, like she was afraid I might disappear too.

“Daddy, please don’t let Sarah take me away. I love you so much. Please promise me I’ll still be your little girl,” she cried, her voice muffled against my chest.

“I promise, sweetie. You’re not going anywhere. You’re my baby. Always.”

That night, I tucked Emma into bed, then I went straight to the living room. Sarah was there, lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone like it was just another evening.

“Sarah, we need to talk.”

She looked up, her eyes flicking to my face, sensing something was off. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? Emma just told me you’ve been telling her she’s not going to be part of our family. That you’re planning to get rid of her when we have new kids. Is that true?”

Sarah didn’t deny it. She sighed, like I was being unreasonable.

“Anthony, I was just thinking about the future. It’s only fair that when we have our own kids, they should get all of your attention. Emma’s from your past. She deserves a different kind of life… away from us.”

I blinked, not trusting my ears. “Are you… are out of your mind? Emma is MY DAUGHTER! Not some broken toy.”

“God, stop being so dramatic, Ants! I know she’s your daughter, but she’s NOT MINE. And I don’t want to compete for your love when we have our own family. Emma’s clearly outta the picture once we have our OWN kids.”

Compete? For my love? I felt my blood boil.

“You’re talking about her like she’s some… burden. She’s SIX, Sarah. Six! And you’ve been filling her head with this garbage? You took away her happiness.”

Sarah shrugged like it was nothing. “You’re overreacting. Let’s try to see this from a different angle. Once we have our own kids, you’ll see. Things will be different. Emma will adjust.”

“Adjust to what? Being ABANDONED? No way. I’ll never let that happen.”

Sarah stood up, crossing her arms. “So, what? You’re going to throw away our future for her?”

I looked at her, and realized there was nothing left to say. “There is no future, Sarah. THIS WEDDING’S OFF!”

Her eyes widened. “WHAT? You’re canceling everything? Over her? That little—”

“ENOUGH! Emma isn’t some unwanted toy. She’s my daughter, and she comes first. Always. If you can’t accept that, then we have no business getting married. Take your things and leave. Now.”

Sarah’s jaw dropped.

“Are you serious? You’re canceling our wedding because of this? Over a little brat your ex-wife left behind??”

“Stop! Not one more word. Out of my house. Now.”

The following morning, I made some calls, and informed everyone the wedding was canceled.

My family and friends were shocked, especially since everything had looked so perfect from the outside. I could hear the disbelief in their voices, but honestly? I didn’t care. Emma was all that mattered.

I told my best friend what had happened, and he was quiet for a minute before saying, “Man, you dodged a bullet. You really did.”

At that point, I wasn’t sure if I felt relieved or devastated, but now? I know he was right.

Some of my family members still think I overreacted. They kept telling me I should’ve tried to “work it out.”

But how do you work things out? Sarah wasn’t going to love Emma like she deserved. She would’ve pushed her to the side and treated her like some old piece of furniture taking up space. I couldn’t let that happen.

I sat Emma down later that day. She was nervous, her little hands shaking as she fiddled with the corner of her shirt.

“Daddy, are you still getting married to Sarah?” she asked, her eyes filled with tears.

I smiled, pulling her into my lap. “No, baby. I’m not.”

She looked up at me, confused. “Why?”

“Because I love you so much I’d never let anyone hurt you.”

Emma’s still healing from what Sarah did to her, but I’m doing everything I can to make sure she feels safe again. And I’ll never stop.

I’d remain single forever, but I just want my daughter to know she’s loved, that she’s wanted, and that she’ll always have a place in my heart and our home.

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