The Call From Inside The House

Six months later, the Bennett mansion was unrecognizable.

The heavy, dark velvet curtains that Victoria had insisted on buying were thrown away. The grand windows were thrown wide open, letting the bright afternoon sunlight pour over the marble floors.

The oppressive atmosphere of perfection was gone.

Instead, there were Legos scattered across the living room rug. A brightly colored backpack hung carelessly over the banister of the grand staircase. The sound of a television playing cartoons echoed from the den.

Alexander stood in the kitchen, wearing a casual sweater and jeans, clumsily attempting to frost a batch of cupcakes.

He looked healthier. The dark circles under his eyes had faded, and the color had returned to his cheeks. Once the poison was out of his system, his strength had quickly returned.

But more importantly, his joy had returned.

“Dad!” Sophie yelled, running into the kitchen, her socks sliding on the hardwood floor. “You’re using too much frosting!”

“There is no such thing as too much frosting, Sophie,” Alexander laughed, wiping a smudge of blue icing off his cheek.

Sophie giggled, grabbing a cupcake and taking a massive bite.

Things were different now. Alexander had stepped back from his company, handing over the day-to-day operations to his vice president. He worked from home most days. He drove Sophie to school every morning, and he picked her up every afternoon.

He never let another person act as a barrier between him and his daughter again.

Victoria’s trial was pending, but the evidence was overwhelming. The prosecution was confident she would spend the next two decades in a federal prison. Alexander didn't care about her anymore. She was a ghost, a nightmare they had woken up from.

“Hey,” Alexander said softly, leaning down to bump his shoulder against Sophie’s. “Are you happy?”

Sophie looked up at him, her face covered in blue frosting, her eyes bright and completely fearless.

She wasn't the terrified little girl hiding in a dark corner anymore. She was exactly who she was meant to be—a vibrant, loved child in a home that belonged to her.

“I’m happy, Dad,” she smiled.

Alexander wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against his chest.