Chapter 4 — The Truth Behind the Smile
Chapter 4 — The Truth Behind the Smile
A week later...
Someone unexpected knocked on my door.
Olivia's younger sister.
Emma.
She looked exhausted.
"I need to tell you something."
We sat in the living room while Sophie played upstairs.
Emma twisted a tissue in her hands.
"This wasn't the first time."
"What do you mean?"
"Olivia has always been jealous."
She looked down.
"When we were children, she couldn't stand sharing attention."
"If our parents praised me..."
"She'd destroy my artwork."
"If they bought me a birthday gift..."
"She'd hide it."
I listened quietly.
Emma wiped away tears.
"When she met you..."
"She liked that you were successful."
"But she hated how much you loved Sophie."
I closed my eyes.
Emma continued.
"I heard her talking to one of her bridesmaids."
"What did she say?"
"She said once the wedding was over..."
"...boarding school would solve the Sophie problem."
The room became perfectly still.
Emma reached into her purse.
"I recorded it."
She handed me her phone.
Olivia's voice filled the room.
"Children get in the way."
"Daniel will eventually understand."
"Men always choose their wives."
I stopped the recording.
Emma whispered,
"I'm sorry I didn't speak sooner."
"You saved my daughter."
She shook her head.
"No."
"You did."
"You believed her."
That night...
I sat beside Sophie's bed until she fell asleep.
Before closing her eyes she whispered,
"You kept your promise."
May you like
Tears blurred my vision.
"Always."
