Not fear for himself.
Fear for her.
He touched the back of her hand with two fingers.
“Baby girl.”
Sophie began crying.
“I thought you hated me.”
Alex's face crumpled.
“Never.”
“You stopped calling.”
His eyes flicked toward me.
That old wound opened between us.
“I was told you didn't want me to.”
I frowned.
“What?”
But Sophie squeezed his hand.
“Dad.”
Everything else could wait.
Alex examined the bruises on her arms.
His expression changed.
The softness disappeared.
He stood.
“Did they take your phone?”
“Yes.”
“Your purse?”
“Yes.”
“Did you sign anything?”
“No.”
“You're certain?”
“They tried. I refused.”
“Good.”
He turned to me.
“Hospital.”
Sophie immediately shook her head.
“They'll find me.”
“No, they won't.”
“You don't know Caroline.”
Alex's eyes went still.
“No,” he said quietly. “But she knows me.”
Sophie stared at him.
Alex took out his phone.
He typed a message.
Then another.
Finally, he looked at me.
