Part 2
"What?"
"You heard me."
Her grandmother crossed her arms.
"You were the last person near it."
Sophie's face turned pale.
"I didn't take anything."
But Eleanor wasn't listening.
Years of favoritism had blinded her.
To her, Sophie was always the problem.
Always too emotional.
Always too sensitive.
Always guilty before innocent.
Several relatives exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Sophie's father, Ryan, immediately stepped forward.
"Mom, stop."
But Eleanor shook her head.
"If she's innocent, she has nothing to hide."
The accusation hit Sophie like a slap.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I didn't do it."
No one noticed her hands trembling.
No one noticed how frightened she looked.
Except her father.
Ryan knelt beside his daughter.
"Sophie, sweetheart, it's okay."
But Sophie wasn't looking at him anymore.
She was staring at Eleanor's purse.
A small cream-colored designer handbag sitting on the glass coffee table.
The little girl suddenly froze.
Her expression changed.
Confusion replaced fear.
Then she whispered something.
"So that's why."
Nobody understood.
Eleanor rolled her eyes.
"Enough of this."
But Sophie pointed at the purse.
"It's inside."
The room fell silent.
Eleanor laughed.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Sophie didn't move.
"It's inside your bag."
Several relatives stared at one another.
Ryan frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Sophie's voice shook.
"The bracelet."
Now everyone was staring at the purse.
Eleanor's smile vanished.
"That's absurd."
Then something unexpected happened.
A faint beeping sound echoed through the room.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Every head turned.
The sound was coming from the purse.
Nobody moved.
For a moment, the room seemed frozen.
Then Ryan slowly walked toward the table.
"Eleanor?"
His mother looked genuinely nervous for the first time all afternoon.
"Don't touch my things."
The beeping continued.
Ryan picked up the bag.
The room became deathly silent.
Eleanor's breathing visibly changed.
Sophie stood motionless.
May you like
Still crying.
Still terrified.
