Chapter 7 - The Girl Who Was Told She Had No Family
Sophie Vale was seven and believed her father had never wanted her.
Her grandmother Ruth Mercer told her so whenever Sophie asked questions.
"Your mother loved you," Ruth would say. "That's what matters."
"But what about Dad?"
"He had other things to do."
Ruth lived in a tidy suburban house with a white Christmas tree and matching silver ornaments. Sophie had clean clothes, regular meals, and a room full of toys. None of that stopped her from feeling like an unwanted guest.
She was not allowed to touch the photographs in the hallway. Her grandmother said the frames were too expensive.
When Helen requested a meeting, Ruth refused. When she learned Gabriel had obtained the DNA record, she became angry.
"Victor promised this was settled."
Victor came that evening.
"It will be."
Sophie heard them through the heating vent.
"They found the other baby," Ruth said.
"Keep your voice down."
"What if they take her?"
"They can't."
"Then why are you here?"
Victor did not answer.
The next day, Sophie found a newspaper clipping in Ruth's desk. It showed Julian Vale smiling beside his brother Gabriel at a charity event.
Underneath, Ruth had written: SOPHIE'S FATHER.
Sophie took the clipping to school. Her teacher, Mrs. Keene, noticed her crying during recess.
"What's wrong?"
Sophie handed her the picture.
"Grandma said he didn't want me. But nobody ever told him I was here, did they?"
Mrs. Keene did not guess. She called the school counselor and documented what Sophie said.
Meanwhile, Gabriel received a call from Helen.
Ruth had agreed to a supervised meeting after being advised that the trust investigation could affect her guardianship accounting.
Gabriel brought no gifts. He sat across from Sophie in a family-services office while a counselor remained nearby.
Sophie studied him.
"You look like the picture."
"He was my brother."
"Was he mean?"
"No."
"Grandma says he left."
Gabriel took a breath.
"I don't know everything you were told. I do know he would have wanted to meet you if he'd known."
Sophie looked down.
"How do you know?"
"Because he used to stop everything to rescue stray dogs. He couldn't walk past anybody who needed help."
That earned the smallest smile.
"Did he like Christmas?"
"He put lights on everything. Once he decorated the refrigerator."
"Why?"
"He said it looked lonely."
Sophie laughed.
Then Gabriel told her about Teddy and Annie, using words the counselor had helped him prepare.
"You have a baby brother. And he has a big sister who made you a Christmas ornament."
Sophie blinked.
"She made one for me?"
"Yes."
"She doesn't even know me."
Gabriel smiled sadly.
"She thinks that's a good reason to start."
The counselor asked Sophie whether she wanted another meeting. Sophie said yes.
Ruth waited in the hallway. She saw the hope on the girl's face and looked suddenly ashamed.
"Did you tell her about Julian?" Gabriel asked.
Ruth nodded.
"I should have done it years ago."
Victor arrived before she could say more.
"Ruth, don't speak without me."
Gabriel turned.
"She's not your employee."
Victor glared at him.
Ruth surprised everyone.
"No, Victor. I'm your sister. And I'm tired."
She admitted she had received monthly payments from the trust. Victor told her the money would stop if Sophie contacted the Vale family. She believed she was protecting the child from losing her home.
Helen asked to see the accounts.
Ruth agreed.
Victor walked away.
An hour later, his office was empty. His computer had been wiped, and his phone went straight to voicemail.
Gabriel thought Victor had run.
May you like
Then Claire called.
Annie was missing.
