My teenage daughter's stepfather regularly took her out for ice cream late at night – When I watched the dashcam footage, I had to sit down

I didn't say anything.

It was summer and it seemed innocent at first.

Mike offered to take her out for ice cream to spoil her because she had worked so hard.

Soon, it became a ritual.

They came back with milkshakes, whispering and laughing in the kitchen as if they had just pulled off the smallest hold-up in the world.

I liked that she had something small to look forward to after long days of studying.

Then November arrived.

Then December.

At first, it seemed innocent.

The sidewalks were covered in frost, the wind was getting sharp enough to sting, and Mike was still grabbing his keys and asking, "Fancy going out for some ice cream?"

I thought he was joking, but he wasn't.

"Really?" I asked once. "In this weather?"

Vivian was already halfway to the door, putting on her coat.

"I suppose so," said Mike, smiling.

That's when I started paying attention.

Mike was still taking out his keys, asking, "A trip to get some ice cream?"

"Where did you go?" I asked once.

"The one near the gas station," Vivian replied quickly.

Another night, Mike mentioned driving "a little further" because Vivian wanted to clear her head.

Small differences... nothing concrete, but they started to pile up.

One evening, they were gone for 40 minutes. Another evening, almost an hour. Vivian returned calmer than usual, her cheeks flushed in a way that didn't correspond to the cold.

And the feeling I had in my stomach wouldn't go away.

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