**The Call That Changed Everything**
Olivia stood by the window, peering into the dimly lit yard below.
“The streetlamps are out again. Its past ten, and Sophie still isnt home. If only she knew how worried I am. Shes only fourteen, yet she twists her father around her little finger like a grown womanhe hands her money at the drop of a hat.”
The gate creaked, and footsteps echoed through the alley. “Sophie!” Olivia thought, stepping back from the windowGod forbid her daughter spotted her, or thered be another shouting match.
“Mum, Im home!” Sophie called from the doorway.
“Anything to eat?”
“Not even a hello?” Olivia moved to kiss her cheek, but Sophie dodged, darting into her room.
“Im starving! I havent got time for this!”
“And where exactly are you rushing off to at this hour? Its nearly midnight!” Olivias nerves tightened, sensing another row brewing.
“Here we go again,” Sophie muttered, just loud enough to be heard. “Im nearly fifteen, Im not a child!”
She flung clothes from her wardrobe, hunting for the right dress. Olivia watched helplessly.
*How do I reach her? How do I stop this?*
“Why are you just standing there like a statue?” Sophie shrieked. “Im meeting the girls at the club. Its Halloweeneveryones celebrating, or am I not good enough?”
She pulled out the dressshort, backless, trimmed with scarlet ruffles.
“Sophie, where did you get that? Its vulgar. Do you even know what kind of girls wear things like that?”
“I dont care! Bought it on sale for Halloween. Dad gave me the money.”
She yanked out a pair of stilettos.
“Brilliant, yeah?” She strutted past Olivia, swaying her hips. “Toms gonna lose his mind when he sees me.”
“Youre not going anywhere,” Olivia said quietly.
Sophie turned sharply. “*Excuse me?* Who died and made you boss? Look at yourselfpathetic! Dad left you, and no ones wanted you since!”
Olivias hand flew before she could stop ita sharp slap. She stormed out, slamming the door behind her as Sophies screams followed.
“You *bitch*! I hate you! Just wait, Ill make you pay!”
Olivia locked herself in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. She caught her reflectionhollow-eyed, bitter. *Pathetic. Ive got a good job, a nice flat, Im not bad-looking. But Sophie* Since she turned twelve, it was like living with a stranger. Backtalk, sneaking cigarettes, every word a battle. The vicar said it was pride. The therapist gave useless advice. Every day, the rift widened.
*If only she knew how much I love her. How it tears me apart.*
She listenedSophie was on the phone. *”Toms waiting promised Id be there”*
*Tom. That sweet little boy from primary school, all big eyes and shy smiles. Now every girls dream. No wonder Sophies smitten.*
Olivia sighed, deadbolted the front door, and hid the key. *No clubbing tonight. Halloweens just an excuse for trouble.*
Sophie intercepted her in the hall.
“Ill *never* forgive you! Ill sue you! Jump out the window if I have to! You dont understand *love*hes *waiting* for me!”
“If Tom truly loves you, hell wait as long as it takes,” Olivia said softly. *Oh, my poor girl.*
“Stop staring, you cow!” Sophie spat. “Im calling Dadhell take me himself!”
“Go ahead. But youre not leaving.”
Sophies laughter turned icy. “Fine. Youll regret this.”
Later, Olivia took a sleeping pill. *Maybe tomorrow will be better.*
—
The alarm blared. Olivia made breakfast, hoping the morning would smooth things over. But Sophie marched past the table, stony-faced, snatching her birth certificate.
At work, Olivias mind raced. *Has she forgiven me? Should I apologise?* She bought Sophies favourite éclairs.
“Sweetheart? I got your treatslets make up!” No answer. The sandwiches from breakfast sat untouched.
Her phone rangan unknown number.
“Olivia Bennett? Valentina Clarke, Social Services. Your daughter filed a report of abuse. Shes now in temporary care pending court proceedings.”
“*What?*”
“Your parental rights are under review.”
Olivia scrambled for a lawyer. “If witnesses corroborate her claims, youll lose,” he warned.
She called Sophies father.
“You shouldnt have hit her,” he said coldly. “Margot and I will take her once youre stripped of rights.”
Olivia took out a loan, fighting the casebut the neighbours lied, the judge ruled against her.
As the gavel fell, Olivia collapsed.
—
Valentina visited Sophie with news: “Youll go to a childrens home. Maybe get adopted.”
“I *want my mum*!”
“Too late. Shes dead. Heart attack.”
Sophie screamed, lunging for the window.
She survivedparalysed. Her fathers new wife refused to take her. The bank reclaimed the loan.
Now Tom visits sometimes, pushing her wheelchair in silence.
*Some lessons come too late.*
