I Remarried After My Wife's Passing — One Day My Daughter Said, 'Daddy, New Mom Is Different When You're Gone'
I Remarried After My Wife's Passing — One Day My Daughter Said, 'Daddy, New Mom Is Different When You're Gone'
Two years after my wife died, I married again, hoping to rebuild my family. But when my five-year-old daughter whispered, "Daddy, new mom is different when you're gone," I was taken aback. Unusual noises from a locked attic, strict rules, and Sophie's fear create a mysterious situation I can’t dismiss.
I never believed I’d find love again after losing Sarah. The emptiness in my chest made it hard to breathe for months.
But then Amelia entered my life, smiling gently and showing patience, and somehow she made everything seem lighter.
Not just for me, but also for Sophie. My daughter instantly took a liking to her, which felt miraculous considering how difficult the last two years had been.
The first time Sophie saw Amelia at the park, she hesitated to leave the swing set.
"Just five more minutes, Daddy," she begged, pushing her legs higher and higher.
Then Amelia approached, her sundress catching the afternoon light, and said something that changed everything: "You know, I bet you could touch the clouds if you just went a little higher."
Sophie's eyes sparked like stars. "Really?"
"That’s what I believed when I was your age," Amelia replied with a wink. "Want me to push you?"
When Amelia suggested we move into her inherited house after we married, it felt ideal. The house was stunning, with tall ceilings and detailed woodwork that hinted at quiet elegance.
Sophie’s eyes grew large when she saw her new room for the first time, and I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement.
"It’s like a princess room, Daddy!" she exclaimed, spinning around. "Can I paint the walls purple?"
"We’ll have to ask Amelia first, honey."
"Our house now," Amelia gently corrected, squeezing my hand. "And purple sounds perfect. We can pick the shade together."
Then I had to leave on a work trip for a week—my first long absence since we got married. I felt nervous leaving my little family when everything was still so fresh.
“You’ll be fine,” Amelia assured me, handing me a coffee mug as I headed to the airport. “And so will we. Sophie and I will have some girl time.”
"We're going to paint my nails, Daddy!" Sophie added as I bent down to kiss her.
It seemed everything was fine. But when I returned, Sophie nearly knocked me over with her hug, clinging tightly like she used to after Sarah died.
Her small body shivered against me as she whispered, “Daddy, new mom is different when you’re gone.”
My heart sank. “What do you mean, sweetheart?”
Sophie stepped back, her lip trembling. “She locks herself in the attic. And I hear strange noises coming from there. It’s scary, Daddy! She won’t let me in that room, and… and she’s mean.”
I kept my voice even. “Mean how, Sophie?”
“She makes me clean my whole room alone, and she won’t let me have ice cream even when I’ve been good.” Sophie looked down, sniffling. “I thought she liked me, but… I don’t know.”
I held Sophie close as she cried, my mind racing. Amelia had been spending lots of time in the attic even before I left. She’d go up there for hours, and when I asked about it, she’d smile and say she was “organizing things.”
At first, I didn’t think much of it. Everyone needs personal space, right? But now, I was worried.
And while Sophie’s descriptions of Amelia being mean weren’t the worst I feared, they still made me uneasy.
As Sophie sobbed into my chest, I wondered if bringing Amelia into our lives had been a mistake. Had I been so eager for happiness that I overlooked something important?
But I didn’t say anything as Amelia came downstairs. I greeted her with a smile and made a joke about Sophie missing me, then picked her up and carried her to her room. Once she calmed down, we had a tea party with her favorite toys.
I thought the tension had eased. But later that evening, I saw Sophie standing near the attic door.
“What’s in there, Daddy?” she pressed her hand against the wood.
I wished I knew. “Probably just old stuff, sweetie. Come on, it’s almost bedtime.”
But sleep wouldn’t come that night. I lay beside Amelia, watching shadows move on the ceiling, my mind full of questions.
Had I made a terrible error? Had I let someone into our lives who might hurt my daughter? I remembered Sarah’s final days, vowing to always keep Sophie safe and loved.
Around midnight, Amelia slipped out of bed. I hesitated before following her.
From the bottom of the stairs, I saw her unlock the attic door and go inside. I waited but didn’t hear her lock it again.
I quickly went upstairs and opened the door without warning. I froze in shock at what I saw.