Chapter 20 - SOPHIE’S ANSWERNatalie used object-based therapy carefully.
No direct identification games.
No “show us what Mommy used.”
Instead safe play.
One day Sophie encountered a foam toy bat among sports equipment.
She froze.
Then threw it across the room.
Covered her ears.
Cried.
Natalie immediately removed it.
Daniel watched.
His chest hurt.
Later Natalie said:
“This confirms fear around that object category.”
“Not who caused it.”
“Correct.”
Daniel appreciated her precision.
He had learned that justice required resisting the temptation to turn every emotion into evidence.
Then Sophie did something no one expected.
Daniel entered the therapy room.
She saw him.
Lifted both arms.
“Da…”
He stopped.
Sophie tried again.
“Dad.”
Not perfect.
Soft.
But unmistakable.
Daniel’s eyes filled.
He lifted her.
She touched his face.
“Dad.”
He cried.
Not quietly.
Not carefully.
Full tears.
Sophie looked startled.
Then touched his cheek again.
Daniel laughed through them.
“You did it.”
Natalie smiled.
But Daniel corrected himself.
“No.”
He kissed Sophie’s forehead.
“You didn't have to.”
That mattered.
May you like
Her voice was not evidence.
It was hers.
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