In a Seattle residential neighborhood where autumn winds caressed her cheeks, Rachel Harrison was desperately trying to adapt to her new life. Married life was vastly different from what she had imagined, complicated by the presence of 5-year-old Emma, her stepdaughter. Rachel had married Michael Harrison, a pharmaceutical sales manager, after a brief courtship.

 Michael’s wife had recently died, and Rachel, unable to have children, had hoped to become a mother to Emma. 3 months after the marriage, Rachel couldn’t hide her confusion. Emma, an angel-like little girl, always seemed to keep her distance from Rachel. “Good morning, Emma,” Rachel called out cheerfully at the breakfast table.

 Emma only replied with a small, “Good morning,” and wouldn’t make eye contact. She didn’t touch the pancakes Rachel had made. “Emma, eat a little more,” Michael said, his voice containing a harshness that made Emma shrink. “It’s okay, Emma. You don’t have to force yourself. Rachel smiled gently, but Emma shook her head and left her seat. I’m sorry, Rachel. Michael.

 Emma still hasn’t gotten used to the change in environment. She was accustomed to the food my previous wife made, so she might be confused by the new flavors. Michael didn’t like to talk much about his former wife. Rachel became anxious. “Time will solve it,” Michael said before leaving for work.

 “Emma will come to accept you. You’re very kind, and you’ll surely make a good mother.” Though encouraged, Rachel harbored anxiety. When she saw Emma’s small hands trembling, when she noticed what seemed like fear shadowing her eyes, she felt an indescribable uneasiness. In the evening, Rachel went to pick up Emma from daycare.

 The moment Emma spotted Rachel, her expression clouded. In the car, Emma just stared out the window. That night, too, Emma barely touched her dinner. Emma, are you feeling sick somewhere? Rachel meltdown, worried. Emma shook her head. Sorry, Mama. I’m not hungry. Hearing those words made Rachel’s chest heighten. She was happy that Emma called her mama, but couldn’t shake the feeling the child was enduring something.

 Emma’s food refusal became more serious with each passing day. “Emma, you left your lunch again today,” the daycare teacher told Rachel. “Does she have any food she particularly dislikes?” I haven’t heard of any specific dislikes. She doesn’t want to eat much at home either. The environment has just changed for her. I’m sure time will solve it, Rachel replied, though her anxiety increased.

 That night, Rachel consulted Michael. She hasn’t eaten properly for over a week now. She’ll make herself sick at this rate. Michael remained seated on the sofa. You’re being too neurotic, Rachel. Children are like that. When she gets hungry, she’ll naturally start eating. But Michael, Rachel stopped when Emma appeared.

 Mama, I want some water, Emma said. Emma’s hands trembled slightly as she took the glass, but Michael didn’t seem to notice. The next day, Rachel left work early and took Emma to a pediatrician. “The examination revealed no physical abnormalities. Her weight is slightly below average, but it’s not a serious condition,” the doctor explained.

 It might be stress from adapting to a new environment. A mother’s death is a major trauma for a child. There might be unconscious resistance to accepting a new mother. When they returned home, Michael looked relieved. That’s good. Then you were worrying too much after all. However, that night, Emma refused dinner again. The chicken rice and corn soup remained untouched.

 Emma, please try just one bite, Rachel pleaded, and Emma shook her head with tears in her eyes. Sorry, mama. I’m really not hungry. At that moment, Michael suddenly raised his voice. Enough, Emma. Rachel made this especially for you. Emma clung to her chair in fear. Rachel was also startled by Michael’s shouting. It was the first time she had seen Michael get so violently angry since their marriage.

Michael, calm down. Rachel placed her hand on his arm. Shouting will only make it harder for her to eat. Michael took a deep breath. Sorry, but it’s not good to waste Rachel’s cooking. Afterwards, Michael sat Emma on his lap. Emma, don’t you want to eat because it’s different from Daddy’s cooking? Emma nodded slightly.

 Is Mama’s cooking different? When Michael asked, Emma nodded again. Rachel’s chest achd. Can you tell me what kind of food you’d like? I’ll make anything, Rachel pleaded. However, Emma didn’t answer, only burying her face in Michael’s chest and sobbing quietly. From the next day, Rachel desperately began researching cooking. When she asked Michael about his former wife’s specialty dishes, she only got vague answers like, “I don’t remember.

” Or, “It was ordinary home cooking.” Rachel tried different menus every day. Hamburgers, homemade pizza, pasta, omelette rice. No matter how delicious the food looked, Emma would say, “Sorry, mama.” And refused to eat. A week later, Rachel was exhausted. Her colleague Sarah encouraged her, but time didn’t bring a solution.

 Rather, Emma’s condition got even worse. Her complexion became pale, and she became even more silent. One night, Rachel was alone in the kitchen crying. What’s wrong? What’s bad about me? Michael came to the kitchen. Don’t cry, Rachel. But Michael. Rachel turned around. Even though I make new dishes every day, Emma won’t eat anything.

 I’m so worried about her at this rate. Michael sighed. “Rachel, you’re trying more than enough, but Emma isn’t used to your cooking. It’s completely different from my previous wife’s cooking. How is it different?” “Tell me,” Rachel pleaded desperately. Michael thought for a moment. “It was simple cooking. She didn’t make anything too elaborate.

 Emma is used to those kinds of flavors.” Rachel found hope. Then I’ll try making it simpler. Starting tomorrow, I’ll try making more rustic dishes. However, the simple salt rice balls, miso soup, plain nudon, and even bread and milk all had the same result. Emma continued saying, “Sorry, mama. I’m not hungry.” After 2 weeks had passed, Michael’s attitude began to change.

 “Rachel, isn’t there a problem with your cooking?” he said suddenly one night. Emma never refused to eat like this before. Those words pierced deep into Rachel’s heart. I’m doing my best in my own way, but you’re not getting results. Michael’s voice was cold. Can’t you make cooking more like my previous wife’s? But you don’t tell me about your former wife’s cooking, what kind of seasoning she liked, what ingredients she used. You don’t tell me anything.

Rachel’s voice became tearful. Michael fell silent. Then after a while, he said, “It’s painful to remember, but for Emma’s sake, it can’t be helped.” Michael left for a 3-day business trip on Friday morning. Emma watched his car from the window, but when the car disappeared from view, she showed what seemed like a relieved expression.

“Emma, what would you like to do today?” Rachel asked brightly. “I want to go to the park,” Emma answered in a small voice. It was the first time since the marriage that Emma had expressed a wish of her own. “At the park,” Emma showed a smile for the first time in a long while.

 She even took a little bite of the sandwiches Rachel had made. I like mama sandwiches. Emma nodded slightly. Rachel almost cried with happiness. That evening, Emma’s demeanor was clearly different. She was more active and even wanted to help Rachel prepare dinner. “Emma will help, too,” she said, diligently washing vegetables. However, when dinner time came, Emma’s expression clouded again.

 She stared at the food Rachel had plated, her hand holding the fork trembling. “Emma, are you okay?” Rachel asked. Sorry, Mama. I’m not hungry after all. Emma shook her head, but you ate the sandwiches at the park. Is something different? Rachel was confused. Emma didn’t answer, only looking at Rachel with tears in her eyes, as if she wanted to say something, but couldn’t.

 That night, Rachel pondered alone. Why did Emma seem better when Michael wasn’t around? After 10 p.m., she heard small footsteps. Emma appeared in the living room in her pajamas. Mama. Emma’s voice was trembling. What’s wrong, Emma? Can’t you sleep? Rachel quickly stood up. Emma shook her head, then slowly walked toward Rachel.

 Rachel has noticed a strong correlation between Michael’s absence and Emma’s slight improvement, alongside her persistent fear and refusal of dinner. This is a critical point in the story. At that moment, Rachel noticed that Emma’s condition was completely different from usual. Emma’s body was trembling slightly. Her face was pale, as if she was frightened.

“Mama,” Emma called again. “I can only talk when daddy isn’t watching.” Rachel knelt down to Emma’s eye level. “You can talk about anything. You don’t have to be afraid.” Large tears spilled from Emma’s eyes. The previous mama also stopped eating food. And then and then, Emma’s voice trembled, and she couldn’t continue.

 After a while, Emma opened her mouth. The previous mama ate food at first too, but gradually she stopped eating. Daddy got angry. He said, “Why won’t you eat?” Then daddy started mixing white powder into the previous mama’s food. Emma confessed. Rachel’s voice was shaking. Medicine, Emma nodded. After that, the previous mama stopped eating even more and was always sleepy. And then the previous mama died.

Emma’s voice was trembling. Daddy said she died from illness, but Emma knows. After Daddy mixed the white powder, the previous mama became strange. Rachel’s world collapsed. Michael’s former wife didn’t die from illness. So, you’re afraid to eat my cooking? Rachel asked in a trembling voice. Emma nodded vigorously.

 I’m scared the new mama will become the same way. Daddy might mix white powder into the new mama’s food, too. So, Emma doesn’t eat food. I want to protect the new mama. Rachel was stunned. Emma wasn’t rejecting her. She was desperately trying to protect her. Emma, you were trying to protect me. Rachel hugged the trembling child. Thank you for telling me.

 You’re truly a brave child, but if Daddy finds out, he’ll get angry. Daddy is very scary. Emma trembled with fear. All the puzzle pieces connected. Michael’s anger, his reluctance to discuss his former wife, Emma’s fear, and the reason for her food refusal. Emma, you’re safe. I’ll protect you. Rachel stood up.

 I’m going to make a phone call. To who? Emma asked anxiously. The police. Rachel answered without hesitation. We have to tell them everything before Daddy comes back. The police arrived 40 minutes after Rachel’s call. Detective Johnson and Detective Rodriguez listened as Rachel explained. My stepdaughter Emma wants to testify about the death of my husband’s former wife.

 I was told that his former wife died from illness, but actually my husband was mixing drugs into her food. Detective Rodriguez knelt down. Emma, can you tell us what you saw? Daddy put white powder in the previous mama’s food. Emma added that he took small bags from his desk drawer in his study. Detective Johnson immediately contacted headquarters, rushed the application for a search warrant.

 We have a suspected murder. Early the next morning, a search team arrived. Rachel and Emma waited at a nearby hotel. At 10:00 a.m., the detectives came to the hotel. Mrs. Harrison, Emma’s testimony appears to be correct. Detective Johnson said seriously. Large quantities of prescription drugs were found in Michael Harrison’s study, Detective Rodriguez explained.

 They were mainly powerful sleeping pills and tranquilizers in amounts far exceeding normal prescriptions, suggesting a legal acquisition. That’s not all, Detective Johnson continued. Jennifer Harrison’s diary was found in a hidden safe. The diary’s contents were shocking. Jennifer recorded her abnormal drowsiness and consciousness disorders after meals in the final months.

 The detective read excerpts. After eating, I always become abnormally sleepy. My body feels heavy and I can’t move. Emma looks at me with worry. This child might know something. If something happens to me, please protect Emma. Rachel sobbed. Jennifer knew what was happening and was worried about her daughter until the end. Correspondence with life insurance companies was found on Michael’s computer. Detective Rodriguez added.

Jennifer’s death benefit was $500,000 and the insurance amount had been significantly increased just before their marriage, pointing to a premeditated crime. Rachel asked in a trembling voice, “And me? That possibility is high. Furthermore, it was discovered that he had taken out similar life insurance for you.

 Detective Johnson confirmed Rachel’s body shook with fear. She was supposed to meet the same fate. Without Emma, she might have unknowingly been given drugs and walked the same path as Jennifer. Without Emma’s courageous testimony, there might have been a second victim. Detective Johnson gently patted Emma’s head.

 “The previous mama wasn’t really sick?” Emma asked in a small voice. No, Emma, your mother wasn’t sick. Your father did bad things to your mother,” Detective Rodriguez explained gently. “But because you told Rachel the truth, we were able to stop the bad things. Are you going to catch daddy?” Emma’s voice mixed fear and expectation.

 “Yes, Michael Harrison will be arrested on suspicion of murder. As soon as he returns from his business trip, we plan to take him into custody,” Detective Johnson confirmed. At that moment, Michael called. Rachel answered, maintaining composure. She lied, telling Michael that Emma was still not eating much. I see.

 I’ll be back tomorrow night. Do something about it by then, Michael said coldly. He says he’ll be back tomorrow night, Rachel reported. Understood. Well wait at the airport. Until then, please stay somewhere safe, Detective Johnson instructed. That evening, the local news reported Michael Harrison’s arrest on suspicion of his wife’s murder.

 Rachel sat with Emma watching the news. I was scared of daddy, but he was still family. Emma teared up, but when I remember the previous mama, I think daddy is a bad person. Emma, you did nothing wrong. You were very brave and did the right thing. The previous mama would surely be proud of you, too. Rachel hugged her.

 Does the new mama hate Emma now? Emma asked anxiously. Not at all. Rachel shook her head firmly. You saved my life and you revealed the truth about the previous mama, too. I love you from the bottom of my heart, and I want to be with you forever. Emma showed a genuine smile. Really, really? We’re a real family.

 That night, Emma slept soundly for the first time in a long while. Michael Harrison’s trial attracted great attention. Charged with premeditated murder for insurance money, continuous drug administration, and illegal drug acquisition, he continued to deny everything. However, faced with Emma’s testimony, Jennifer’s diary, and physical evidence, the jury’s verdict was clear.

 We sentenced defendant Michael Harrison to life imprisonment for firstdegree murder. On the day of sentencing, Emma, holding Rachel’s hand, sighed quietly. “Is it over now?” Yes, it’s over. You don’t have to be afraid anymore. Rachel smiled gently. During the trial, Rachel proceeded with procedures to become Emma’s legal guardian.

 Emma herself strongly wanted to be with Rachel, repeatedly telling the court investigator, “I want to be with Rachel, mama.” 6 months later, the formal adoption was completed. That day, Rachel and Emma made a small celebratory meal together, enjoying cooking together for the first time since Emma’s food refusal began.

 “I want to eat the real hamburgers that the previous mama made for me,” Emma requested. Emma was recovering her mother’s true happy memories. “The hamburgers they made together weren’t perfect, but Emma bit into it deliciously. It’s delicious. Rachel Mama’s hamburgers are the most delicious in the world. Emma, your stomach doesn’t hurt anymore.

 No, not at all. Because Rachel Mama doesn’t put bad things in. Rachel Mama is kind, Emma said. That night, Rachel reflected. Blood relations didn’t matter. Love and trust are what create a real family. Rachel, Mama, Emma murmured before falling asleep. Thank you for protecting me. I should thank you. If you hadn’t told me the truth, I might have ended up like the previous mama. You saved me.

Rachel kissed her forehead. We protected each other. Emma smiled with satisfaction. Now 8 years old, Emma goes to school energetically. Meal time has become the most enjoyable time for both of them. Rachel Mama’s food is delicious because it’s full of love has become Emma’s favorite saying.