It bought Sophie another 30 seconds.
Then we heard footsteps.
Sophie appeared carrying a canvas bag.
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“Give me that.”
“No.”
“Sophie.”
“I said no.”
He reached for her.
I stepped between them.
“Don’t touch her.”
“This is my marriage.”
Sophie laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“That’s what you always say when you mean I’m your property.”
Margaret moved toward her.
“Sophie, you’re upset. Put the bag down, and we’ll discuss this tomorrow.”
“Like you discussed Anna?”
Silence.
Daniel’s father stared at his plate.
His sister looked shocked.
Daniel said, “You have no idea what happened with Anna.”
“I read her letter.”
His face went pale.
Margaret whispered, “What letter?”
Sophie looked at her.
“Something Anna made sure you’d never find.”
Margaret stared at the letter.
Sophie opened the bag.
Inside were bank statements, Anna’s letter, and a small notebook.
“Anna kept records.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Those aren’t yours.”
“No. They’re hers.”
“Then you have no right to take them.”
Sophie looked at me.
“Ready?”
“Absolutely.”
We headed for the front door.
Daniel blocked it.
“You’re not walking out of this house.”
Nobody moved.
There it was.
Not the charming husband.
Not the smiling groom.
Not the man who’d quietly eaten while his wife served him.
