Part 1 – The Subtle Warnings Before the Storm
It began almost imperceptibly, like a shadow stretching across the edge of my awareness. Emma, who had always adored her bubble baths, plush towels, and the playful routine of bedtime hygiene, started showing small signs of hesitation.
At first, it was just a simple shake of the head when I reminded her about bath time. “Not tonight,” she would murmur, almost apologetically. I smiled, assuming it was normal. Children, after all, often resist what seems ordinary to adults.
