Chapter 8
I visited Laura’s grave for the first time since Rachel’s arrest.
I brought flowers.
Megan came with me.
Sophie stayed with Mrs. Bell.
I stood before Laura’s headstone and could not speak.
Megan waited.
Finally, I whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The wind moved through the trees.
No answer.
Of course not.
But I kept talking.
“I thought moving on meant building a new family.”
My voice cracked.
“I didn’t know I was bringing danger into hers.”
Megan touched my shoulder.
“Laura loved you. She also knew your weakness.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Loneliness.”
“Yes.”
That word felt too simple.
But it was true.
I had been lonely.
Rachel had been attentive.
She brought soup.
Folded Sophie’s clothes.
Said Laura would want me happy.
Then, slowly, she pushed Laura’s family away.
Megan.
Margaret and Thomas, Laura’s parents.
Even Mrs. Bell.
She called them reminders of grief.
I believed her because grief was heavy.
Now I understood.
She had isolated Sophie before hurting her.
That night, I called Margaret and Thomas.
I told them everything.
Margaret cried.
Thomas went silent.
Then he said, “We are coming tomorrow.”
When they arrived, Sophie ran to Margaret and froze halfway.
Margaret knelt.
“No rushing, sweetheart.”
Sophie walked the rest of the way.
May you like
Slowly.
Then collapsed into her grandmother’s arms.
