Chapter 15 - Sophie Watches Nothing
Everyone asked whether Sophie should see the recordings.
The answer was no.
Not now.
Maybe never.
Evidence existed for adults to handle.
She did not need to relive it to prove anything.
That decision became important.
For months, Sophie had been forced to perform her pain.
For Rachel.
For doctors.
For school staff.
For investigators.
I refused to turn recovery into another performance.
We found a trauma therapist with no connection to the case.
Dr. Naomi Reed.
Her first rule surprised Sophie.
“You don’t have to tell me anything today.”
Sophie stared.
“Then what do we do?”
“Whatever feels useful.”
They played cards.
For three sessions.
On the fourth, Sophie talked.
Not about Rachel.
About missing Rachel.
That frightened me.
Naomi explained.
“Children can miss people who hurt them.”
I knew that intellectually.
Hearing it about my daughter was harder.
Sophie asked if missing her mother meant she was betraying me.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“What if I still love her?”
“You’re allowed.”
Sophie cried.
So did I.
Recovery was not the clean ending I wanted.
It was contradictory.
Then prosecutors offered Rachel a plea agreement.
She refused.
She wanted trial.
She told her attorney Sophie would eventually recant.
When Claire told me, I felt cold.
Rachel still believed enough pressure could change reality.
May you like
She was about to learn what happened when the record no longer depended on Sophie carrying it alone.
