When my husband told my daughter, “You don’t even realize how beautiful your figure is,” I became seriously worried for the

the 

 

strange compliment. 

But a week later, I heard something again. Emily had put on a new dress and was standing in front of the mirror.

Daniel looked at her and said,

“That dress really suits you. Especially the shape of your hips.”

I was in the kitchen. The glass in my hand literally froze in midair. Emily didn’t say anything.

She just gave a quick smile and changed the subject. That evening, when Daniel and I were alone, I asked him,

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“Why have you been talking about Emily’s appearance like that lately?”

He stared at me silently for a few seconds. Then he laughed.

“Laura, are you serious?”

“Very.”

His smile disappeared.

“I was just trying to boost her confidence.”

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“Why?”

Daniel looked away.

“Ask Emily.”

That answer worried me even more. The next day, I did. She reacted strangely too.