An eight-year-old girl sleeps alone, but every morning she complains that her bed feels “too small.” When her mother checks the security camera at 2 a.m., she breaks down in silent tears…

Not because I didn’t love her. On the contrary—I loved her enough to understand that a child can’t grow if she always clings to an adult’s arms.

Emily’s room was the nicest in the house.

— A two-meter-wide bed with a premium mattress that cost nearly $2,000
— Shelves full of storybooks and comics
— Stuffed animals carefully arranged
— A soft, warm yellow nightlight

Every night I read her a story, kissed her forehead, and turned off the light.

Emily was never afraid to sleep alone.

Until… one morning.

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