Chapter 10
Vanessa tried to run.
Of course she did.
Her passport triggered an alert at the airport.
Police found jewelry, cash, and Sophie’s birth certificate in her bag.
Sophie’s birth certificate.
When Nadine told me, I had to sit down.
“Why would she have that?”
“Identity documents support guardianship filings.”
I closed my eyes.
My daughter had been reduced to forms in Vanessa’s plan.
The criminal charges expanded.
Child abuse.
False imprisonment.
Attempted fraud.
Conspiracy.
Identity document theft.
My mother’s emails were pulled into the case.
Eleanor stopped answering my calls.
Then she sent one letter.
Not to me.
To Sophie.
Nadine intercepted it.
I read it only because I needed to know.
My dearest Sophie,
One day you will understand adults sometimes must be firm because little girls can destroy families.
I tore it in half.
Then stopped.
Evidence.
I placed it in a folder instead.
Sophie never saw it.
Children do not need poison just because it has their name on the envelope.
Vanessa’s trial date was set.
My mother’s civil case loomed.
The board asked me to step back from the company to “focus on family matters.”
For once, I agreed.
May you like
I had focused on business while my daughter was locked in a pantry.
Never again.
