Chapter 7 - Don't Touch My Daughter
Evelyn had never driven so fast.
When she reached Sophie's school, police vehicles were already outside.
Sophie was safe.
That was all that mattered.
Evelyn ran through the office and dropped to her knees.
Sophie threw herself into her mother's arms.
“Mommy!”
Evelyn held her so tightly the child squeaked.
Blake arrived seconds later.
He stopped when he saw Sophie.
His face broke.
He knelt beside them.
For several moments, the three of them remained together.
A family already broken, united by fear.
Security footage showed Vanessa approaching the reception area wearing sunglasses.
She claimed Blake had asked her to collect Sophie.
The receptionist called Evelyn for confirmation.
Vanessa immediately left.
“Was she trying to kidnap her?” Blake demanded.
The detective raised a hand.
“We don't know.”
Evelyn did not care what word they used.
Vanessa had gone near her daughter.
That changed everything.
Daniel arranged private security.
Sophie was taken to a Fairchild property outside the city.
That evening, Evelyn sat beside her daughter's bed.
“Are you and Daddy getting divorced?”
The question hit harder than anything Vanessa had done.
Evelyn did not lie.
“Yes.”
Sophie stared at her blanket.
“Does Daddy still love me?”
“Oh, sweetheart.”
Evelyn pulled her close.
“Your father loves you more than anything.”
“Do you love Daddy?”
Evelyn paused.
Love was complicated.
“I will always care about him because he's your father.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
Evelyn smiled sadly.
“No. It isn't.”
Downstairs, Blake waited.
When Evelyn joined him, he looked exhausted.
“She asked if I love you.”
He looked at the floor.
“What did you say?”
“The truth.”
Blake nodded.
“Good.”
For once, he did not ask for forgiveness.
That mattered too.
“I've agreed to cooperate completely with prosecutors,” he said.
“You may lose the company.”
“I know.”
“You may face charges if they decide you ignored warning signs.”
“I know.”
“Why tell me?”
“Because I'm done making decisions based on what they cost me.”
Evelyn studied him.
This was not redemption.
Not yet.
But perhaps it was the beginning of accountability.
Her phone rang.
Daniel.
“We found Vanessa.”
“Where?”
“She's turning herself in.”
“Why?”
Daniel paused.
“Because Richard Vale threatened her.”
May you like
Evelyn looked at Blake.
“And she says she has evidence that can destroy him.”
