Sofia gave a humorless little laugh.
“Patricia always believes Bianca.”
I leaned forward.
“What about the bruises?”
Sofia’s eyes filled again.
“Bianca says I make her angry.”
“That’s not an answer.”
She took a shaky breath.
“Sometimes she pushes me. Or grabs my arm. Once she hit me because I wouldn’t give her the necklace Mom left me.”
My stomach tightened.
“What necklace?”
Sofia touched the small silver chain around her neck.
“This one.”
I recognized it immediately.
Elena had worn that necklace for years. After she died, I gave it to Sofia on her tenth birthday.
“I thought you’d lost it,” I said.
“Patricia tried to take it away. She said I was too old to be carrying things from Mom. Bianca wanted it, too.”
“Did either of them hurt you over it?”
Sofia nodded.
I wanted to know every detail, but I could see how difficult it was for her to speak.
