Chapter 3
Once she was discharged, I moved us into Rachel's apartment.
Rachel was my college roommate, and a licensed attorney.
After watching all the surveillance footage, she slammed her water mug hard onto the table, furious.
"This counts as willful child abandonment.
"He knew full well he was leaving Sophie all alone."
I handed over the divorce papers David had sent to me.
The document stated Sophie would be awarded solely to him.
I would receive a small one-time settlement and forfeit all rights to the house and company.
Rachel flipped to the last page and let out a bitter laugh.
"Does he think you're some fool he can manipulate?
"You invested more capital into the company during its founding phase than he did and helped build its brand reputation and client channels.
"He only trapped you at home for a few years, and he thinks all your contributions could simply be erased," she said indignantly.
I spoke in a quiet, strained voice.
"I wanna secure custody over Sophie first."
Rachel placed a firm hand on my shoulder.
"We're keeping both you and Sophie safe," she said firmly.
The doorbell suddenly rang.
David stood outside the doorway, Emily right behind him.
Emily wore a pale white sundress and held her daughter's hand.
The little girl called out to David loudly, "Daddy!"
Sophie ran out of the bedroom and froze dead in her tracks.
David frowned instantly.
"Lily, don't call me that."
Emily quickly pulled her daughter back to her side.
"I'm so sorry. She's spent so much time playing with Sophie lately. It slipped out."
She turned to face me, feigning remorse.
"Claire, please don't read too much into it.
"David talked about you and Sophie nonstop the whole trip with us," she said gently.
I lifted my hand to close the door.
David slammed his palm against the frame to block it shut.
"I'm here to take my daughter home," he said.
"She won't go with you," I replied, refusing to back down.
"I am her legal father," David said, his voice firm.
"I thought you forgot that," I shot back, my tone sharp.
His expression turned dark and cold.
"Stop creating a scene in front of strangers, Claire," he warned.
Rachel stepped to my side.
"There are no outsiders here.
"I've made full backup copies of every surveillance clip proving you abandoned your child," I said calmly.
David fixed a sharp glare on Emily.
"This is between me and my wife. Stay out of it," he snapped at her.
Emily tugged lightly at his sleeve and said softly, "Calm down, David.
"Claire's only upset from everything she's been through."
She knelt down and waved at Sophie.
"Will you come with us, Sophie? Lily got you a present."
Sophie hid behind my legs.
"I don't want to," she replied timidly.
Emily's warm smile faded.
Lily suddenly pointed straight at Sophie.
"She doesn't deserve the name Sophie.
"Daddy says I'm his real Sophie."
A heavy silence fell over the living room.
David snapped at the little girl sharply.
"Lily, hush!"
Lily burst into frightened tears.
Emily immediately pulled her into a tight hug.
"Why are you yelling at her?
"She's only repeating what you told her yourself," Emily added, her tone sharp.
David's face turned an ugly shade of blue.
I stepped right up to him.
"What exactly did you say?" I demanded.
"The kid's just making things up," David said dismissively.
Emily patted her daughter's back and spoke in a soft, placating tone.
"David got drunk once and rambled about always wanting a sweet little girl.
"Lily's such a good kid, and they click perfectly.
"Claire, please don't hold it against him. Sophie's frail and cries all the time. Being her dad wears him thin too."
I shoved her out the doorway.
David grabbed my wrist hard and snarled, "How dare you lay a hand on her?"
"Let go of me."
"Apologize to Emily," he demanded firmly.
Rachel picked up her cell phone.
"David, if you don't release her right now, I'm calling the police."
He roughly wrenched my arm free and tossed me off balance.
"I was willing to give you a chance to walk away with some pride, Claire.
"But if you're dead-set on fighting this, we'll fight it all the way.
"Sophie is mine, no matter what," David said resolutely.
I rubbed my throbbing wrist.
"You don't even know what allergies she has. What right do you have to take her?" I shot back.
He leaned down close to my face.
"Simple. You don't have a job.
"And everyone knows you're emotionally unstable.
"Besides, only with me can Sophie live a comfortable, privileged life."
With that, he turned and left.
Emily grabbed her daughter's hand and followed behind him.
Down the hallway, Lily's sobs echoed.
"Daddy, did I say something wrong?" she asked.
David cooed gently to soothe her.
"Not at all.
"You'll always be my sweet little Sophie."
After the door slammed shut, I glanced back.
My daughter stood in the ward doorway, hot tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Mommy, did he give my name to someone else?" she asked chokingly.
I rushed over and pulled her tight into my arms.
"That name belongs only to you. No one can ever take it away." I comforted her.
Sophie buried her face against my chest.
"What about Daddy?" she asked innocently.
I stayed quiet for a long moment before answering softly.
"He already gave himself away to someone else."