“Even if everything you’re saying is true, why didn’t you contact me?”
Sophie’s expression changed.
“Because Daniel told me you were hospitalized.”
I froze.
“What?”
“He contacted me a few weeks after I left. He said the stress had made you collapse. He told me your doctor wanted you to avoid further distress.”
“Sophie, I’ve never been hospitalized.”
She stared at me.
“But Daniel said…”
“He lied.”
She covered her mouth.
“He told me you blamed me for everything. He said you’d specifically asked him to make sure I never contacted you again.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“I spent months asking him whether he’d heard from you.”
“He said you hated me.”
“I never hated you.”
“He said hearing my name upset you.”
I stood and walked toward the window.
Suddenly, so many things made sense.
Every holiday without Sophie.
Every time Daniel changed the subject. Every unanswered question.
