Ethan Carter was 39 years old and the founder of CarterTech Solutions, a Boston-based enterprise software company valued at $700 million. Two years earlier, he had divorced his wife Lauren after discovering a months-long affair. His six-year-old daughter, Lily, was the reason he got up every morning.

After the divorce, they agreed to shared custody. Lily spent one week with Ethan in his luxury Back Bay condo and the next with Lauren in her suburban house outside the city.

It was Sunday, July 23, 7:30 p.m. Lauren had just dropped Lily off after her week with her. Ethan had been waiting anxiously for his daughter’s return.

“Daddy!”

Lily ran into his arms the moment she stepped inside.

“My princess.” Ethan lifted her into a tight hug. “I missed you so much. How was your week with Mommy?”

Lily went strangely quiet.

“Fine.”

Something in her small voice made Ethan study her more closely. She looked uncomfortable. Her eyes wouldn’t meet his.

“You sure everything was okay, sweetheart?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

Ethan decided not to push. Maybe she was just tired from the drive.

That night, after dinner and a bath, Lily was playing in the living room while Ethan answered urgent emails on his laptop.

“Daddy, do you want to play a game?” Lily asked suddenly.

“Of course, baby. What game?”

“A game Mommy and I play.”

Ethan closed his laptop with a smile.

“I’d love that. How do we play?”

Lily stood up and turned her back to him.

“You have to touch here,” she said, pointing toward her bottom. “And I have to stay very still and quiet.”

Ethan felt ice flood his veins.

“What’s the game Mommy plays with you?”

“She says it’s our special secret.”

“Lily…” Ethan’s voice trembled as he fought to stay calm. “Who exactly touches you there?”

“Mommy’s new friend. His name is Justin. He plays the game with me when Mommy is busy.”

Ethan felt sick.

“Justin… who is Justin?”

“Mommy’s boyfriend. He lives with us now.”

“And he… he touches you like that?”

Lily nodded innocently.

“Yes. He says it’s a special game, but I don’t like it very much. Sometimes it hurts.”

Ethan had to summon every ounce of willpower not to scream, not to scare her. He took a deep breath.

“Lily, sweetheart, come here. Sit with me.”

She climbed onto the couch beside him.

“That game Justin plays… where exactly does he touch you?”

Lily pointed to her genital area.

“Here. Inside my underwear.”

The world tilted.

“How many times has this happened?”