Chapter 16 - SOPHIA'S VERSION
Sophia arrived at Vincent's office the following evening.
She did not wait for an invitation.
“You're investigating me.”
Vincent closed the folder in front of him.
“Sit down.”
“I won't sit while you treat me like a criminal.”
“Then stand.”
Sophia looked at the two men near the door.
“Send them out.”
“No.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What happened to us?”
Vincent almost laughed.
“What happened to us? You mean the years I spent believing you were the only person who understood what I lost?”
“I was there for you.”
“You were there when Anna was declared dead.”
“I helped you survive.”
“You helped me bury her.”
Sophia flinched.
He placed a copy of the flight manifest on the desk.
“Did you know Anna survived?”
“No.”
“Did you know she was taken to a hospital?”
Sophia looked at the paper.
“I heard rumors.”
“What rumors?”
“That a flight attendant had helped someone escape. But there were so many conflicting reports.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because you were barely functioning. You were blaming yourself. You didn't want to hear that there might be hope.”
Vincent stared at her.
“Did you ask the flight attendant about the rear exit?”
Sophia's face changed.
“I was frightened.”
“Did you ask whether it could be opened from outside?”
“I don't remember.”
“I have a witness.”
Sophia's eyes flashed.
“Rachel? She's lying.”
“Why would she?”
“Because she wants money.”
Vincent pushed another page toward her.
A transfer from a company registered in Sophia's name to an aviation consulting firm.
Sophia stared at it.
“That's not what it looks like.”
“Explain it.”
“I invested in a company that provided services to the airline.”
“Why?”
“Because I had money. Because I was trying to build something of my own.”
“Three days after the crash, that company paid Peter Harlow, the consultant who removed the mechanical fault from the final report.”
Sophia's lips parted.
Vincent leaned forward.
“Did you know the aircraft had a fuel-system problem?”
“No.”
“Did you know the report was altered?”
“No.”
“Did you pay someone to keep Anna's rescue out of the record?”
Sophia stood abruptly.
“This is insane. You are letting a woman who abandoned you manipulate you.”
Vincent's expression became cold.
“She didn't abandon me. I left her.”
Sophia's face crumpled.
“I loved you.”
“You loved being the person I needed when I was broken.”
“That isn't fair.”
“Neither was what happened to Anna.”
Sophia reached for his hand.
He pulled it away.
“Don't.”
Her voice dropped.
“Vincent, if you take this further, people will be hurt.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It's a warning.”
He pressed a button on his desk.
Marco entered.
“Take Miss Carter out. She is not to enter this building again without my permission.”
Sophia looked at him as if she no longer recognized him.
“You'll regret choosing her.”
May you like
Vincent stood.
“I already regret the choice I made three years ago.”
