CHAPTER 2: The Person Who Wanted Sophie Gone
The hospital room was quiet.
Three hours later, Sophie opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Daniel sitting beside her.
His face was exhausted.
His eyes were red.
“Sophie…”
His voice broke.
She tried to sit up.
But Daniel gently stopped her.
“No. Don’t move.”
She looked confused.
“What happened?”
Daniel looked at her.
Then he placed the letter on the table.
Sophie froze.
Her eyes immediately filled with fear.
“You read it?”
Daniel nodded slowly.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Sophie looked away.
Because the answer hurt.
“Because I knew what would happen.”
Daniel frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Sophie swallowed.
“I knew your family would think I was a problem.”
Then she looked toward the window.
“Your mother already thought I was lazy.”
The words hit Carol harder than anything.
She was standing near the door.
She had heard every word.
And for the first time in years…
Carol felt ashamed.
She stepped inside.
“Sophie…”
Sophie looked surprised.
Carol lowered her eyes.
“I owe you an apology.”
The room became silent.
“I judged you before I knew your pain.”
Sophie didn’t say anything.
Carol continued.
“I called you lazy.”
Her voice trembled.
“But you were fighting to survive.”
A tear rolled down Carol’s cheek.
“I’m sorry.”
Sophie looked at her.
Then slowly nodded.
But before anyone could speak again…
The hospital door opened.
A nurse walked in.
“Mrs. Bennett?”
Daniel stood.
“Yes?”
The nurse looked nervous.
“We found something unusual in Sophie’s blood test.”
Everyone froze.
“What?”
The nurse lowered her voice.
“The medication she was taking contained traces of a substance that should never be there.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
“Poison?”
The nurse nodded.
“Small amounts. But over time, it could have been fatal.”
Carol grabbed Daniel’s arm.
“Who had access to her medicine?”
Everyone became silent.
Then Sophie whispered:
“Only one person.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Who?”
Sophie closed her eyes.
“The person who helped me prepare for the wedding.”
A terrible realization crossed Carol’s face.
Because there was only one person who had been with Sophie every day before the wedding.
Daniel’s younger sister.
Emily Bennett.
That night, Daniel confronted Emily.
She was sitting in the family kitchen, calmly drinking coffee.
“You poisoned Sophie.”
Emily laughed.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Daniel placed the medical report on the table.
Her smile disappeared.
“You were jealous,” Daniel said.
“You thought Sophie was taking your place.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed.
“She came into this family and everyone forgot about me.”
Carol stood behind Daniel.
Disappointed.
“Emily…”
Emily looked at her mother.
“You defended her?”
Carol shook her head.
“No.”
May you like
She looked at Sophie, standing behind them.
“I defended the truth.”
