A moment later, her mother spoke up again. "We're leaving shortly," she informed her daughter in a gentle tone.

"But, your father has decided that he's done enough with his work for today. He'll have to take us somewhere tomorrow instead."

Sophie nodded softly, trying to hide the disappointment that flashed across her features. Her father wasn't coming back with them?

She bit her lower lip nervously as her stomach twisted uncomfortably. She knew that she shouldn't complain. It was completely reasonable for her father to want to go back to work.

In fact, the mere mention of him brought up unpleasant feelings within her, ones that she had never...