He tells her that this is what all fathers do with their daughters. They just don't discuss it.
And she has tried never to dispute this. If he has been one thing with her, she thinks, it's honest. And if he has ever lied, it's in her best interest. Fathers always work in the best interest of their daughters. So when his hands find her thighs, prying them apart with fingers so cold, no matter what the temperature outside and kisses her so hard their teeth meet, she doesn't say no. Because she's never said no to him.
But when she's left alone and shivering, her blood slowly finding its way back along its normal path, she wonders. Because when she leaves his room unable to properly walk, she draws attention. Because when he lightly touches her hair, people notice. Because when she sees fathers with their children in the street, holding hands and laughing, she can't imagine them doing what he does to her.
But maybe this is because other families just aren't as open about it as they are. Or maybe she lets herself believe what he says. Maybe she lets herself believe it because sometimes, she's the one who pries his thighs apart and she's the one who kisses him so hard that their teeth meet. Sometimes, he's the one who doesn't say no.
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