Sophie’s face lights up in the darkness. “Oh my god, Em. That would be amazing. I mean, it’s a total long shot, but having you there, making the case together instead of me alone against the three of them...” She rolls onto her side to face me. “You really think you could get through to them?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. Erica and I used to be close, before everything. And Morgan’s not as far gone as Sloane, she’s justconflict-averse. If we can show them the actual data on what these features are doing to kids, make it personal instead of just business...” I trail off, not wanting to promise something I’m not sure I can deliver. “It’s worth trying. I’m tired of caring from the sidelines and pretending that counts for something.”
Sophie reaches over and squeezes my hand in the darkness. “Whatever happens with the vote, I’m really glad you’re coming. I’ve missed having you in my corner for these things.”
“I’ve missed being there,” I admit. “I thought leaving was the right thing, but I think I was just running from how crummy it all felt.”
We’re quiet for a while after that, both of us lost in our own thoughts. The city sounds filter through Sophie’s window, distant traffic and the occasional siren, so different from the quiet of Dark River where the loudest nighttime noise is usually the wind in the trees, an owl in the forest, or the water lapping against the shore.
“You’re going to figure this out,” Sophie says eventually, her voice drowsy. “The family stuff. The Theo stuff. All of it. You always do.”
“You sound very confident for someone who called me completely insane earlier today.”
She laughs softly. “Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive. You can be an insane person who figures her shit out. That’s basically your whole brand.”
I smile despite everything, feeling something loosen in my chest for the first time in days. “I hope you’re right.”
“I am definitely right.”
I smile and we lie there in the kind of silence that doesn’t need to be filled. Sophie’s breathing evens out beside me after a few minutes, soft and steady, and I let myself drift off next to my sister, grateful for the first peaceful moment I’ve had all week.
CHAPTER 27
Theo
Victoria’s Audi pulls into my driveway just after seven, the headlights sweeping across the front porch as she parks. I hear the car doors open, the familiar sounds of Chloe’s excited chatter and Victoria’s lower response.
I’m not used to having Chloe away this much. The house has been too quiet the past few days, too still, all the spaces where her noise and energy should be feeling hollow and wrong. I’ve filled the time with work at the restaurant and hours in the garage with the black walnut, but none of it quite fills the gap she leaves when she’s gone.
I meet them at the entryway, Victoria carrying Chloe’s backpack and a shopping bag from some store I don’t recognize, and Chloe barreling toward me like a tiny missile.
“Daddy!” She crashes into my legs and I scoop her up, holding her tight as she wraps her arms around my neck. “I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too, bug,” I say. “Did you have fun with Mom?”
“So much fun.” She pulls back, her face bright with excitement. “We had the best time, Daddy. We went to the mall and Igot new shoes, look!” She sticks out one foot to show me a sparkly purple sneaker with sea turtles on it. “And we saw a movie about penguins, and Mom let me get popcorn AND candy, and then we went to this restaurant that had cheese fries that were so good, Daddy, you have to take me there sometime. They put bacon on them and everything.”
“That sounds amazing,” I tell her, smiling at the rapid-fire recap. This is the happiest I’ve seen her about time with Victoria in years, maybe ever, and despite everything else going on, that matters. That’s what I wanted for her.
“Oh! Wait.” She’s already squirming out of my arms, ready to bolt. “I gotta go find Nala and give her lots of attention! She probably missed me so much.”
I set her down with a laugh. Nala is our gray tabby, an aloof little queen who tolerates the rest of us with barely concealed disdain but curls up next to Chloe every night purring like a motorboat. She pretends to be above affection, but she’s secretly a complete softie, especially where Chloe is concerned.
“Go ahead. But then it’s time to start getting ready for bed, okay? School tomorrow.”
“Okay!” She’s already halfway to the stairs, waving over her shoulder at Victoria without breaking stride. “Bye Mom! Love you! Thanks for the shoes!”
Then she’s gone, her footsteps thundering up the stairs, her voice calling out for the cat in that high-pitched tone she reserves for animals and stuffed animals and the occasional very cute baby. I hear the door to her room close behind her.
I straighten up and turn to Victoria, who’s standing in my entryway looking around like she’s cataloging changes since she was last here. Her expression is hard to read.
“I’m glad it went well,” I say. “She seems really happy.”
Victoria smiles. “Thanks for being flexible with the schedule lately. It was so good being back here, spending real time with her.” She hesitates, shifting the shopping bag to her other hand. “Can I come in for a minute? I need to talk to you about something.”
I study her for a moment, trying to gauge what this is about. Maybe she’s made the final decision about leaving Derek and moving back permanently. Maybe there’s something about the custody arrangement she wants to discuss.
“Sure,” I say, stepping back to let her in.
