My 5-Year-Old Niece Whispered, “The Chair Hurts Me”—Then She Showed Me What She Had Hidden Underneath

She seemed overwhelmed.

I cooked elaborate food.

She wanted plain noodles.

I hovered near the bedroom.

That frightened her.

I stopped.

Her therapist, Dr. Maya Chen, eventually said:

“You are trying to prove she is safe every minute.”