My 15-year-old daughter Kate was tearful, but wouldn’t explain why. I installed a hidden camera in her room and discovered my wife Melissa and stepdaughters Mia and Clara mocking her photos and reading her diary aloud, laughing. Devastated, I realized Kate had been bullied by them. Blending our families had been tough, but I never imagined this cruelty.

I confronted Kate gently, apologizing for not protecting her. She shared how the bullying started small—jabs about her clothes, missing items, nasty notes—and escalated. Melissa had dismissed Kate’s earlier attempts to tell me. Furious but calm, I promised to fix it.

I confronted Melissa, demanding apologies from her and the girls. She deflected, but Clara and Mia eventually apologized sincerely to Kate. Melissa’s apology felt rehearsed, but Kate accepted it. We started family therapy, uncovering Mia’s feelings of being replaced, Clara’s jealousy, and Melissa’s insecurities. Kate later joined, and healing began.

Then, a schoolmate posted a humiliating video of Kate crying online. Surprisingly, Clara and Mia reported it and got it removed, earning Kate’s trust. Months later, Melissa took a job out of state, and we parted respectfully. Kate’s stronger now, healing with supportive friends. Love and protection matter—our kids deserve to feel safe and seen.