CHAPTER 7 The Drawing That Changed Everything
Richard arrived at Sophie's school within fifteen minutes.
He had never driven that fast in his life.
Not because of fear for his reputation.
Not because of business.
Because his daughter had drawn something that terrified the adults around her.
When he entered the principal's office, Sophie was sitting in the corner.
Her backpack was held tightly against her chest.
The same frightened posture.
The same silent fear.
Richard immediately walked toward her.
"Sophie."
She looked up.
The moment she saw him, her eyes softened.
"Daddy."
Richard knelt down.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
But he knew her too well now.
A child who says "I'm okay" while looking terrified is usually not okay.
"What happened?"
The principal placed the drawing on the desk.
Richard picked it up.
His hands became cold.
The picture showed a house.
A little girl standing in front of it.
A woman holding the girl's hand.
And behind them...
Another woman.
A dark figure.
Watching.
Above the figure, Sophie had written:
"She wanted Mommy gone."
Richard looked at his daughter.
"Sophie..."
The little girl immediately looked afraid.
"I'm sorry."
Richard's heart broke.
"Why are you sorry?"
"Because I'm saying bad things."
Richard gently held her hand.
"Sweetheart, telling the truth is never bad."
Sophie looked down.
Then whispered:
"Mommy told me."
Richard froze.
"What did Mommy tell you?"
Sophie looked around.
Making sure nobody else could hear.
"She said if something happened to her... I shouldn't trust people who smile too much."
Richard felt a chill.
"Did Mommy say Vanessa's name?"
Sophie didn't answer.
But her silence was enough.
That night, Richard searched every old file connected to Anna's death.
The official report said:
Car accident.
Rainy road.
Loss of control.
A tragic accident.
But now...
Richard wasn't sure anymore.
He contacted Marcus.
"Reopen the investigation."
Marcus looked surprised.
"Richard, that case was closed three years ago."
"I don't care."
Richard stared at the old documents.
"Find out if Anna's accident was really an accident."
Marcus nodded.
"I'll start immediately."
Later that night, Richard sat beside Sophie.
She was drawing again.
This time, it wasn't a scary picture.
It was a picture of him.
And her.
Holding hands.
Richard smiled.
"That's beautiful."
Sophie looked at the drawing.
"I don't remember drawing like this before."
"What do you mean?"
She hesitated.
"Because Miss Vanessa didn't like when I drew Daddy."
Richard looked confused.
"Why?"
Sophie whispered:
"She said Daddy belonged to her now."
Richard felt anger burning inside him.
But he controlled it.
"Sophie..."
"Yes?"
"Did Vanessa ever hurt you?"
The little girl became completely still.
Her fingers stopped moving.
Then slowly...
She nodded.
Richard's heart sank.
"What did she do?"
Sophie looked toward the bedroom door.
Like she was afraid someone might appear.
"She said if I told..."
She swallowed.
"Something bad would happen."
Richard moved closer.
"Nothing bad will happen. I promise."
Sophie looked into his eyes.
"Daddy..."
"Yes?"
"Can we leave this house?"
That question broke him.
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Because this mansion had cost millions.
But his daughter saw it as a prison.
