Page 230 of Keep This Promise
Having to answer that question is far scarier than having to explain the file in the first place. “I didn’t.”
“Holden, it was open on the table when I came out to make food. Eden went back in her room to get dressed, so I doubt it was her.”
“It was out when we got home last night too, and I didn’t leave it like that. Theonlyplace I’ve ever opened it was my room, and last night, I put that file in the drawer there.” I point to the cabinet. “It wasn’t out when I came to bed, Sophie.”
“What?”
“I need to call Emmett.”
“Do you think someone was in the house?” she asks, looking around.
“I do.”
In fact, someone had to have been unless I have a ghost, which I know isn’t the case. “Oh my God!” Sophie runs to Eden’s room and throws the door open.
I follow her, and when I come to a stop in the doorway, Sophie turns to me. “We have to leave.”
“No. Sophie, you’re not going anywhere.”
“We aren’t safe here anymore. I have to pack a bag.”
She releases Eden and goes for the bag in the closet. “Eden, get your toys.”
“Stop. Sophie! Stop.” This is getting out of control.
“Mummy? Where are we going?”
I pick Eden up, who has tears in her eyes, holding her. “Everything is okay, bug.” Sophie’s shoulders slump as a sob breaks from her chest. She keeps her back to us, and my heart shatters.
I promised to protect her, and she feels unsafe.
I kiss Eden’s temple and put her down. “Can you go in the kitchen and have an apple?”
She pouts. “No apple!”
Of all the days. “I know you don’t want one, but I need to talk to your mum.”
Her dramatic sigh would be adorable at any other time, and I’m thankful when she heads to the kitchen without more protests, leaving me and Sophie alone.
“Sophie.”
“My diary . . .” She sniffs. “I always put it in the nightstand, but it was on the bed last night, and someone was in this house while we slept. I put you in danger, and I have to leave.”
I turn her to face me and pull her into my arms. “You are mine to protect, Sophie. I will not let anything happen to you, do you hear me? If you leave, then what? Where do you go? Do you think they won’t follow? How will I live with knowing you could be hurt, and I’m not there to stop it?”
“How will I live knowing you could be hurt because of me?” She pushes out of my arms.
“I will fix this. We’ll find a way to figure this out, but we can only do that if you don’t leave. Promise me, Sophie. Do not run from me. Let me stand beside you and fight.”
She wipes her tears and then meets my eyes. “I promise.”
Relief floods me. “Thank you. Let me call Emmett, and we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“Okay.”
I walk back to my room, make the call, and within fifteen minutes, he’s knocking on the door.
“What happened?” Emmett asks as he walks in.
