Chapter 10 - MONEY WITH HER NAME ON IT
Rachel stared at the transfer notice.
The money had reached her account that morning.
She hadn’t checked the balance. She had been buying Sophie clean underwear at the hospital gift shop and wondering whether her landlord would change the locks.
The payment description said CONSULTING SERVICES.
“I didn’t agree to this.”
Roman watched her face.
For one second, suspicion came easily. Easier than trust. Easier than admitting he could be fooled again.
Rachel saw it.
She set his phone on the table.
“My daughter ran toward your son when every paid adult in that house looked away. Don’t make her mother earn the right to be believed by staying poor.”
Roman flinched.
“You’re right.”
“That doesn’t undo your face.”
“No.”
He stepped out while Nora helped Rachel call her bank and report the unexpected transfer. They documented it without spending or moving it.
The originating company was one of Vivian’s businesses.
An hour later, a local reporter emailed Nora asking whether Roman had paid a household employee to coach her daughter’s testimony.
Attached was a cropped screenshot of the transfer.
The sender’s company name had been removed.
“They’re building another version,” Nora said.
Rachel sat down hard.
“Sophie isn’t testimony. She’s a little girl who heard crying.”
Ortiz arranged for any necessary interview to be handled by someone trained to speak with children. No crowd. No repeated questions. Rachel would know what was happening.
Roman agreed before anyone looked at him.
Then he found Sophie sitting with Julia, trying to wrap a bandage around a stuffed rabbit.
“Are you mad at Mommy?” she asked.
He crouched several feet away.
“I hurt her feelings. I’m going to apologize.”
“You have to say what you did.”
“I will.”
Sophie considered him, then returned to the rabbit.
He apologized to Rachel without explanations attached.
She accepted the apology. She did not promise him trust.
Near midnight, Martha called from the estate.
“Someone came for Miss Sophie’s things.”
Rachel stood up.
“Who?”
“A courier. Said Mr. Vane wanted the playroom cleared.”
“Did you let him?”
“No. But I checked the drawings she left.”
Martha’s voice changed.
“Rachel, there’s one you need to see.”
She sent a photograph.
May you like
A silver car. A tiny blue bundle. A woman beside it.
And a tall man Sophie had drawn with a bright green hand.
