Chapter 13 - CLAUDIA COMES FOR HER THINGSA temporary protective order kept Claudia away from Sophie.
She was allowed one supervised property retrieval.
Police standby.
I stayed upstairs with Sophie.
That was the plan.
Then Sophie heard Claudia’s voice downstairs.
She froze.
Not dramatic.
Her whole body simply stopped.
The stuffed dinosaur fell from her hand.
“Is she staying?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
“She’s collecting clothes.”
“Will she cut it again?”
My throat closed.
“No.”
This promise I could make because I would not leave them alone again.
Claudia remained downstairs twenty-eight minutes.
Then left.
Later I found a note she had placed on the kitchen counter.
Jonathan, you are teaching Sophie that crying lets her control adults. One day you will understand what you have done.
I photographed it.
Gave it to Grace.
Then threw away the original only after counsel confirmed we had preserved it appropriately.
May you like
I did not reply.
That took more discipline than I expected.
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