Chapter 3 - The Fragile Foundation
The new house in the suburbs wasn't a palace, but to Sophie, it was a fortress of safety. The first few weeks were defined by tentative steps. Every time a door slammed in the neighborhood, Sophie would flinch, her small body tensing as if expecting a reprimand.
Richard never rushed her. He sat with her in the kitchen, reading quietly while she colored, keeping his presence a steady, predictable background noise. He learned that the best way to gain her trust was to be the person who never demanded anything.
"Daddy?" Sophie asked one afternoon, looking up from a book. "Can we... can we go to the park?"
Richard put his book down immediately.
"Any park you want, kiddo."
She chose a park with a large playground. For the first hour, she stayed within three feet of his legs. It wasn't until she saw a stray golden retriever chasing a ball that her eyes lit up. She took a step toward it, then looked back at Richard.
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"It’s okay, Sophie. Go ahead."
She laughed—a real, bubbly sound he hadn't heard in months—and ran toward the grass. Richard felt his own heart settle into a rhythm it hadn't known since Claire died.
