**Chapter 2: "The Late Night Return"**

The clock struck 10:45 PM, and Emma walked through the front door, her eyes scanning the hallway for any sign of her father. She knew she was late, and she knew that her father would not be happy. James was sitting in his study, a book open in front of him, but he wasn't reading. He was waiting. "Emma, where have you been?" James asked, his voice firm but controlled. Emma shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting around the room. "I was at the movies with friends, Dad. We lost track of time." James raised an eyebrow. "You know the curfew is 10 PM. You're 16 years old, and I expect you to follow the rules." Emma looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Dad. It won't happen again." James sighed, his expression unyielding. "Get in here, Emma. We need to discuss this further." Emma hesitated, knowing what was coming. She had been spanked before, and she knew that her father didn't hesitate to use physical punishment when she misbehaved. She walked slowly into the study, her heart pounding in her chest. James stood up, his eyes never leaving hers. "Take off your belt and bend over my knee." Emma felt a surge of fear mixed with embarrassment. She knew that her father was serious, and she knew that she had to obey. She slowly undid her belt and let it fall to the floor. Then, she bent over James's knee, her face burning with shame. James picked up the paddle that was lying on his desk. It was a flat, wooden paddle with a hole in the handle, and Emma knew that it was his preferred implement for spankings. He raised it high, and Emma felt a stinging sensation as it came down on her bare buttocks. The spanking was long and hard, with James using all his strength to paddle Emma's buttocks. Emma cried out in pain, her body trembling with fear. She knew that she had to endure it, that her father would not stop until he was satisfied. As the minutes ticked by, Emma's buttocks began to ache, and her tears flowed freely. She begged her father to stop, promising to be more careful in the future, but James was unmoved. He continued to paddle her, his expression stern and unyielding. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, James stopped. Emma lay over his knee, her body shaking with sobs. James stroked her hair, his voice softening. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Emma. But you need to learn to follow the rules. You need to learn to respect my authority." Emma nodded, her voice muffled by her tears. "I'm sorry, Dad. I will." James helped Emma to her feet, his eyes searching hers. "I love you, Emma. That's why I'm doing this. I want you to be a responsible, obedient daughter." Emma nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. She knew that her father loved her, and she knew that she had to try harder to follow the rules. As she walked out of the study, her buttocks aching and her heart heavy, she knew that she would never forget this night.