Chapter 84: This is What You Made Me
Diane’s POV
The call from Andrew came the next day. I was already fully awake and done with my morning routine, having spent most of the night tossing and turning, my mind racing with thoughts as I lay lazily on the bed.
"It’s done," Andrew said, his voice calm and steady. "Sophie is safe. She’s staying with me now."
I sat up slowly, one hand instinctively cradling my pregnant belly. "She’s with you? At your house?"
"Yes. I convinced her to leave her apartment yesterday. She didn’t have much choice after what happened. She was... vulnerable."
A complicated mix of emotions washed over me—relief that Sophie was safe, anger that she had sought refuge with the father who had abandoned us, resentment that she was being sheltered after her betrayal.
"Thank you," I said finally, the words sticking slightly in my throat. Despite my lingering anger toward Andrew, I couldn’t deny the gratitude I felt for his protection of Sophie. "Is she... is she okay?"
"Physically, yes," Andrew replied after a brief hesitation. "Emotionally... she’s been through a lot. She’s carrying a heavy burden of guilt."
"Good," a vindictive part of me thought. But the thought was fleeting, quickly replaced by concern. No matter what Sophie had done, I didn’t want her destroyed by it.
"You didn’t tell her, did you?" I asked, my voice dropping to a whisper even though no one else was in the room. "That I asked you to help her?"
"No," Andrew assured me. "I was discreet, just as you asked. As far as Sophie knows, I reached out to her of my own accord." He paused, his voice softening. "Diane, I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to having both my daughters under one roof. When will you—"