Chapter 8 - Reclaiming Sophia
Dominic stared at the paper. His hand shook so violently he could barely hold the pen.
He looked up at me, desperation in his eyes. "If I sign this... will you let me see her? Just once? She is my daughter too."
"She was never your daughter, Dominic," I said softly. "You saw her as a trophy. A piece of leverage. You never loved her, and you never loved me. Sign the papers."
With a defeated sob, Dominic pressed the pen to the paper and signed away his rights to Sophia forever. Eleanor, realizing her defeat was absolute, signed the corporate surrender documents without a word.
The moment the ink dried, I stood up.
"Our business is concluded," I said, not looking back as I walked out of the room.
Outside, the sun was shining. The weight that had been pressing down on my chest for three years was finally gone. I felt light. I felt free.
When I arrived back at the Sterling estate, my father was waiting in the gardens. Sophia was in a beautiful white stroller, sleeping peacefully under the shade of a willow tree.
Arthur smiled as I approached. "Is it done?"
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"It's completely over, Dad," I said, sitting down beside him. "We have total custody. The Vances are finished."
He reached over and squeezed my hand. "I am so proud of you, Vivienne. You fought for your daughter, and you won."
