My stepdaughter cried whenever we were alone—but when I finally discovered why, it shattered everything I thought I knew

shadow gets to hurt you.”

Harper went upstairs and came back with Scout, her stuffed fox. She held him for a long moment, then held him out to me.

“I want you to have him.”

“I can’t take your favorite toy.”

“Yes,” she insisted. “Look at his back.”

I turned the toy over. Hidden in the fur was a tiny zipper. Inside was a small silver flash drive.

“Mom was continue reading …