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Across the hall, Daniel sat behind a glass partition while a detective questioned him. His hands rested flat on the table. He looked toward me once, but I looked away.
That single act broke something in his face.
The door to Sophie’s room opened forty minutes later. Marissa invited us back inside, but Eric was told to wait.
Sophie was curled beneath a hospital blanket.
“What did she say?” I asked.
Marissa’s expression remained neutral.
“Sophie has consistently stated that no one has touched or frightened her. She explained why Daniel sometimes checks on her at night.”
“Then he can come back?”
“Not yet. The medical team still needs to determine why her test is positive.”
Eric heard through the open door.
“Children protect people they’re afraid of.”
Sophie sat up.
“I’m not afraid of Daniel!”
Eric stepped inside before security could stop him.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“You’re making everything worse!”
He froze.
Sophie pointed toward the hallway.
“Daniel believed me. You didn’t even ask.”
Eric’s face hardened, but I saw hurt beneath the anger.
Dr. Ortiz returned before he could answer.
“The ultrasound department is preparing a room,” she said. “Sophie needs a full bladder for the scan, so we’re giving her fluids.”
Eric turned toward her.
“How far along is she?”
“We don’t know that she is pregnant.”
“You said the blood test was positive.”
“I said it detected hCG. That is an important distinction.”
I clung to those words.
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