Chapter 11
Patricia testified next.
She had taken a plea.
Rachel looked betrayed when her mother walked to the stand.
Patricia looked smaller than I remembered.
The prosecutor asked, “Did you help your daughter plan to obtain control of Sophie Reed’s trust?”
“Yes.”
Rachel hissed, “Mom.”
The judge warned her.
Patricia continued.
She admitted Rachel had debts.
She admitted she had debts.
She admitted they believed Sophie’s trust could save them.
The prosecutor asked, “Why abuse Sophie?”
Patricia cried.
“To make Daniel think she needed Rachel.”
Megan gripped my arm.
I could feel her shaking.
Patricia admitted she told Rachel to avoid visible bruises.
She admitted she suggested using Laura’s death to make Sophie feel unstable.
I thought Megan might stand and scream.
Instead, she cried silently.
Rachel refused to testify.
Cowardice looked strange on her.
She had been bold when hurting a child alone.
Silent when adults could answer back.
At the end of the day, I went home and found Sophie asleep on the couch with Laura’s photo beside her.
I sat on the floor and watched her breathe.
Megan sat beside me.
“She’s safe now,” she whispered.
I nodded.
But I knew safety was not a sentence.
It was a daily practice.
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I had failed it once.
I would not fail again.
