Chapter 6
At the temporary hearing, I was more frightened of hearing Sophie’s name than of seeing Daniel.
Priya had told me the judge would focus on practical arrangements: where Sophie would live, how she would see each parent, and what would happen with the house until the divorce was final.
Daniel sat beside his lawyer. Ruth sat behind him with her Bible closed in her lap.
I did not look at her after that.
Priya presented the house deed, the disputed loan application, and the messages about Sophie asking me to come home. Daniel’s lawyer said he wanted regular time with his daughter and had already moved into a rented apartment.
The judge asked Daniel directly whether he had told Sophie she could persuade me to return.
“Yes,” he said. “I shouldn’t have.”
I looked up.
He also admitted that Ruth had gone to Sophie’s art class without telling me. He said he had not asked her to do it.
The judge set a temporary parenting schedule. Sophie would live with me in our house. Daniel would have regular visits and calls, with exchanges through Grace for the time being. Neither of us was to ask Sophie to carry messages about the marriage or the case.
Ruth would need our agreement before seeing Sophie.
When the judge said I could return home, relief came so quickly that I had to grip the edge of the table.
Daniel turned toward me as we left the courtroom.
“I’ll have my things out by Friday,” he said.
“Thank you.”
He hesitated. “Sophie can keep everything in her room. I haven’t touched it.”
I nodded and walked on.
Ruth caught up near the elevators.
“Leah, I know you’re angry with me.”
“I am.”
“I was trying to save my son.”
“You tried to put a loan against my house.”
Her gaze flicked toward Priya.
“I never took any money.”
“You used my name and your address. The lender has the records.”
“I thought you had agreed to it.”
“Then you should have asked me.”
The elevator opened. I stepped inside with Priya.
Ruth remained in the hall.
On Friday, Grace came with me when I returned to the house. Daniel had cleared his clothes, his shoes, and the framed photograph of his parents. He left Sophie’s things exactly as they were.
I stood in her room while she ran to the moon lamp beside her bed. She switched it on, even though sunlight filled the windows.
“It still works,” she said.
“It does.”
“Are we staying?”
“Yes. You and me.”
She wrapped both arms around my waist.
That night, she slept in her own bed. I lay awake in mine, aware of every sound in the house. The refrigerator clicked on. A car passed. Rain tapped at the back window.
I had wanted this house back. Feeling safe in it would take longer.
The next morning, I changed the locks. Daniel had already returned his key, but Ruth still had one. Priya told me to notify Daniel how he could arrange to collect any belongings left behind. I sent the message, then put my phone away and made pancakes with Sophie.
She chose to call Daniel after breakfast. I gave her privacy in the living room but stayed close enough in case she needed me.
When she finished, she came into the kitchen.
“Dad said his apartment has a yellow couch.”
“That sounds cheerful.”
“He asked if I wanted to pick a blanket for when I visit.”
“Would you like to?”
“Yes. Maybe the one with stars.”
We searched online together and found one. I sent Daniel the link because Sophie asked me to.
For a few minutes, we were simply two parents helping our daughter choose a blanket. Then I saw Ruth’s name appear on my phone and remembered how much still stood between us.
I let the call go to voicemail.
She left a message asking me to meet her without lawyers.
I saved it and told Priya.
The police investigation into the loan application was still open. A detective had asked Daniel and Ruth to provide statements. Daniel’s lawyer had informed Priya that he was willing to account for every transfer into Vanessa’s business. He had also repaid a small portion from his own savings.
I was glad the money was coming back. I was angry that Sophie and I had spent months doing without things while he sent it away.
That afternoon, Vanessa called. I nearly let it ring out, then answered.
“I’ve given Priya the business records,” she said. “My lawyer is arranging the return of the money I still have.”
“All right.”
“I didn’t know Ruth had gone to Sophie’s art class until Daniel told me. I’m sorry.”
I leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Please don’t speak to Sophie about any of this if you meet her one day.”
“I won’t.”
After the call, I found Sophie on the floor of her room making a paper sign for the door.
“What does it say?” I asked.
“HOME.”
She taped it beneath the moon lamp and looked at me for approval.
“It’s perfect,” I said.
Then my phone sounded with an email from Priya.
The lender had finished its review. Ruth had spoken to their investigator. She claimed I gave her permission to submit the application.
May you like
Attached was a photograph she had provided as proof.
It showed me signing papers at her kitchen table on our anniversary.
