Chapter 5 - Sofia’s Last Video
I locked myself in Sofia’s office before I watched it.
Laura came with me.
Elena stayed with Rosie.
The video opened on Sofia’s face.
She looked exhausted.
No makeup.
Hair pulled back.
Her eyes kept shifting toward the window.
Then she spoke.
“Daniel, if you’re watching this, something went wrong.”
I stopped breathing.
Sofia looked directly into the camera.
“I know you think I’m angry about Vivienne.”
She gave a sad little laugh.
“I was. At first.”
My throat tightened.
“But this isn’t jealousy.”
She held up a folder.
“I found unauthorized payments in Mercer’s development accounts. I thought it was an accounting mistake. Then I traced them.”
She paused.
“Michael is involved.”
I clenched my jaw.
“And Vivienne.”
I closed my eyes.
Sofia continued.
“But they’re not the only ones.”
Laura leaned closer.
On screen, Sofia looked toward the door.
Then lowered her voice.
“Someone in the police department has been protecting them.”
I thought about Hayes’s watch.
My stomach turned.
“I don’t know how deep this goes.”
Sofia’s voice shook.
“I do know someone entered my house three nights ago. They searched my office. They didn’t find the backup.”
She looked down.
“I moved it.”
Then she said my name again.
“Daniel.”
Her expression softened.
“Whatever happened between us, I never wanted Rosie growing up believing we hated each other.”
I covered my mouth.
For two years, Sofia and I had fought over schedules, schools, money, holidays.
Then we finally learned how to be kind again.
And just when we did—
she died.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Sofia wiped her eyes.
“I was trying to get proof strong enough that you couldn’t explain it away.”
She took a breath.
“If anything happens to me, do not trust the first explanation.”
My skin went cold.
Then someone knocked in the video.
Sofia froze.
Three slow knocks.
She whispered, “They’re early.”
Laura looked at me.
On screen, Sofia stood.
The image shook.
We heard the front door open.
A man’s voice.
Too faint to recognize.
Then Sofia whispered one final sentence.
“The key opens locker 318 at Union Station.”
The video ended.
I stared at the screen.
Laura said, “We go now.”
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
Vivienne.
I answered.
“Daniel.”
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
“Come home.”
“Why?”
“Because your daughter is asking for you.”
I looked through the office window.
Rosie was sitting downstairs with Elena.
“She’s with me.”
Silence.
One second.
Two.
Then Vivienne said,
“No, Daniel.”
My blood turned cold.
“I mean your other daughter.”
I couldn’t speak.
May you like
Vivienne continued.
“The one Sofia never told you about.”
