Chapter 4 - SOPHIEThey found Sophie three days later.
Not because of the police.
Not because of a private investigator.
Because she contacted Arthur herself.
The call came at 2:13 in the morning.
“Mr. Vance?”
Arthur sat up.
“Yes.”
“My name is Sophie.”
Arthur's heart began racing.
“Are you Elena's daughter?”
Silence.
“Yes.”
Arthur woke Elena.
She took the phone with trembling hands.
“Sophie?”
A young woman's voice answered:
“Mom?”
Elena began sobbing.
“I thought you were dead.”
“So did I.”
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because someone is following me.”
Arthur took the phone.
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“Then why call me?”
“Because I found something.”
“What?”
“A photograph.”
“Of what?”
“Your family.”
Arthur looked at Elena.
“What photograph?”
Sophie described it.
Arthur recognized the location immediately.
His grandfather's old estate.
The photograph showed Elena, Victor, and a young Arthur.
Sophie said:
“There was a note on the back.”
“What did it say?”
“Protect the children.”
Arthur's expression changed.
“Which children?”
“Me and Daniel.”
The line went silent.
Then Sophie whispered:
“I think someone has been protecting us our entire lives.”
Arthur asked:
“Where are you?”
“I'll send you the location.”
A message arrived.
Boston.
Arthur booked the earliest flight.
Elena insisted on coming.
Maria stayed with Daniel.
Before leaving, Arthur knelt beside his son.
“I'll be back soon.”
Daniel nodded.
“Bring my sister.”
Arthur smiled.
“I will.”
In Boston, Sophie was waiting outside a small café.
She looked nervous.
Elena stopped when she saw her.
Sophie looked at her mother.
Neither spoke.
Then Elena walked forward.
They embraced.
Arthur watched.
It was painful and beautiful at the same time.
Twenty-five years of stolen memories could not be repaired in one hug.
But it was a beginning.
Sophie eventually looked at Arthur.
“You're my mother's husband.”
“Yes.”
“And Daniel's father.”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“He sounds lucky.”
Arthur nodded.
“He is.”
Sophie handed him a folder.
“I found this in the house where I grew up.”
Arthur opened it.
Inside were financial records.
Names.
Dates.
Account numbers.
And one name appeared repeatedly.
Richard Hale.
Arthur frowned.
“Who is Richard?”
Sophie looked at Elena.
“My guardian.”
Elena's expression changed.
“Victor?”
“No.”
Sophie shook her head.
“Richard raised me after Victor disappeared.”
Arthur studied the documents.
“Where is he?”
“I don't know.”
“What happened?”
“He told me never to trust the Vance family.”
Elena looked devastated.
“Why?”
Sophie answered:
“Because he said your father wanted me dead.”
Arthur's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Richard's voice came through.
“You found her.”
Arthur's blood ran cold.
“Where are you?”
“You're looking in the wrong direction.”
“What do you want?”
“To warn you.”
“About what?”
“Your wife.”
Arthur looked at Elena.
Richard continued:
“She isn't the person you think she is.”
The call ended.
Elena looked frightened.
Arthur turned toward her.
“Tell me the truth.”
“I already have.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“You've told me pieces.”
Sophie stepped between them.
“Stop.”
Arthur looked at her.
“My entire life has been built on secrets.”
Sophie nodded.
“Mine too.”
She opened another folder.
Inside was a letter.
It was written by Arthur's grandfather.
The final sentence read:
When Arthur discovers the truth, Daniel must never be left alone with Elena.
Arthur stared.
Elena's face went white.
Sophie whispered:
“That's why I called you.”
May you like
Arthur looked at his wife.
For the first time, he wondered whether protecting Daniel meant protecting him from Elena herself.
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