Sophie Said a Strange Man Had Been Inside the House — Then the Silver Ring and Muddy Footprints Proved She Had Been Telling the Truth
Chapter 9 — Vanessa Returns the Silver Ring
Marcus Lane returned that afternoon only to collect his ring.
He did not enter the house.
Vanessa met him at the front door.
Sophie stood beside her.
Marcus smiled gently.
“Hi, Sophie.”
She recognized him immediately.
“You lost this.”
She held out the silver ring.
Marcus took it.
“I did.”
He examined the engraving.
His relief was obvious.
“Thank you for keeping it safe.”
Sophie pointed toward him.
“You got mud inside.”
Marcus looked embarrassed.
“I did that too.”
Vanessa almost laughed.
Marcus became serious.
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
Sophie looked toward Vanessa.
Then back at him.
“You thought nobody home.”
“Yes.”
“But I was home.”
Marcus nodded.
“Exactly.”
Then:
“I should have left as soon as I realized that.”
Sophie seemed satisfied.
Marcus left.
Vanessa closed the door.
For a moment, she and Sophie stood together.
Then Vanessa crouched.
“I need to tell you something too.”
Sophie looked at her.
“I said you were making up a story.”
“You weren’t.”
“You told me exactly what happened.”
Sophie nodded.
Vanessa continued.
“I should have checked.”
“And I should never have told you to stop talking just because I thought I already knew the answer.”
Sophie looked toward her teddy bear.
“I was scared.”
Vanessa’s eyes filled.
“I know.”
“And when I didn’t believe you, I made it scarier.”
Sophie nodded.
Vanessa did not ask:
“Do you forgive me?”
She did not make Sophie responsible for making her feel better.
She simply said:
“I’m sorry.”
Then waited.
After several seconds, Sophie stepped closer.
Vanessa hugged her.
