Chapter 13 - Sophie Chooses Two Mothers
Claire’s treatment went well.
Sophie visited Oregon several times.
Their relationship grew slowly.
Margaret Bennett, the woman who raised Sophie, feared losing her.
Sophie noticed.
One evening she took Margaret’s hand.
“You’re my mom.”
Margaret cried.
“And Claire?”
“She’s my mother too.”
Family language expanded instead of replacing anyone.
Richard Walker became part of Sophie’s life without demanding the title
Dad immediately.
Daniel visited Claire regularly.
They argued.
They laughed.
They mourned Evelyn, their mother, who had died believing Claire might
still be alive somewhere.
Claire carried guilt about that.
Daniel refused to absolve her cheaply.
He also refused to punish her forever.
Vanessa entered therapy and stepped away from control of the Whitmore
estate.
Her relationship with Daniel remained distant.
Trust did not regenerate because truth finally arrived.
It had to be rebuilt, if it was rebuilt at all.
Lily, meanwhile, became fascinated by sapphires.
Daniel refused to buy her one.
“You’re seven.”
“I’m eight now.”
May you like
“Still no.”
She considered this deeply unfair.
