Chapter 4: The Weight of Truth

The hospital room was quiet.
Soft.
Safe.
Sophie slept peacefully, a small bandage wrapped around her head.
A doctor approached me.
“She’s going to be okay,” he said. “No lasting damage.”
My knees nearly gave out.
“Thank you…”
Hours later, a detective arrived.
“We’ve reviewed the footage,” she said. “Your brother is being charged with assault, false accusation, and evidence tampering.”
I nodded.
No triumph.
Just… closure.
“And your parents?” I asked.
The detective hesitated.
“They’re cooperating.”
Of course they were.
They always protected themselves.
May you like
But this time…
There was nothing left to protect.