Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW MORE THAN SHE ADMITTED
Sophia called me three days later.
I almost didn't answer.
Then I remembered that our children were half-siblings.
Whatever I felt about her, Emily and Lucas had done nothing wrong.
“Claire.”
Her voice sounded strained.
“Sophia.”
A long silence followed.
Then she said:
“You need to stop.”
I stared at the phone.
“Stop what?”
“Encouraging Vincent.”
I laughed once.
“Encouraging him to acknowledge his daughter?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, Sophia. I don't.”
She exhaled sharply.
“He's changing.”
“People sometimes do.”
“He's spending hours talking to attorneys. He's asking questions about the old hospital records.”
My expression changed.
“What questions?”
Sophia went silent.
“Sophia?”
She whispered, “Forget I said anything.”
Then the call ended.
I immediately contacted Madison.
“Vincent is reviewing the hospital records.”
Madison frowned.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
She thought for a moment.
“Do you remember the original custody negotiations?”
“Of course.”
“Vincent agreed not to contest your relocation.”
“Yes.”
“And he signed the documents without requesting a parenting schedule.”
“Yes.”
Madison looked thoughtful.
“Someone advised him to do that.”
I stared.
“What?”
“His attorney at the time told me Vincent wanted a clean break.”
I felt cold.
“That's what he wanted.”
“Maybe.”
Madison hesitated.
“But I wonder whether someone else encouraged him.”
That evening, Vincent called.
I answered reluctantly.
“Claire.”
“What?”
“I need to ask you something.”
I closed my eyes.
“Go ahead.”
“Did Sophia ever contact you after Emily was born?”
I frowned.
“No.”
“Not once?”
“No.”
He was silent.
Then said:
“She told me you refused to let me see Emily.”
My stomach turned.
“What?”
Vincent continued.
“She said you threatened to disappear if I tried.”
I stared at the wall.
“Vincent, you signed the custody agreement.”
“I know.”
“You had an attorney.”
“I know.”
“You knew where we were.”
His voice broke.
“I know.”
I swallowed.
“Then don't tell me Sophia made you abandon your daughter.”
A long silence followed.
Then he said quietly:
“I'm not.”
But I could hear something else in his voice.
May you like
Fear.
Because Vincent was beginning to realize that the woman he'd chosen over his wife might have lied to him too.
