Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO ALWAYS CAME FIRST
Sophia called that evening.
Alexander answered.
“Alexander.”
Her voice was warm.
“Are you coming over?”
He stared at the phone.
“No.”
A pause.
“Is something wrong?”
He looked toward the empty nursery.
“Claire left.”
Sophia went silent.
Then whispered:
“Oh.”
Alexander waited.
Sophia continued.
“I'm sorry.”
He closed his eyes.
“She took the baby.”
Sophia hesitated.
“Maybe she just needs time.”
Alexander looked toward the window.
Then asked:
“Sophia, why did you send me that photograph?”
Silence.
“The one from the hospital.”
She swallowed.
“I wanted to thank you.”
Alexander's expression hardened.
“You knew Claire was in labor.”
A pause.
“Yes.”
“And you sent her a photograph of me holding your son?”
Sophia's voice changed.
“I didn't think—”
“No.”
He interrupted.
“You did.”
Silence.
May you like
Then Alexander whispered:
“You knew exactly what you were doing.”
