vochter dishes that day.
Chapter 12
He thought alsout the message
That day was the last time he’d rushed for her al
dach too lazy to make what she liked
That evening, Alexander had the house herper by many ingredients all replia’s lavaites.
He spent thure hous
Alexander sat down and save
Alter serving the food, be looked down and ate
tas mother. Tears silently fell, adding with
swallow
At night, he lay on
In his dream, he saw faphta standing a few steps away, smiling at him with her lips moving, but he couldn’t hear anything In his dream, he saw faphia staral
witlicher
His voice grew urgent. “sophia, what are you m
He walked toward her, but no matter how he triedl, Jac
grow increasingly panieked
–
and began running, finally coacising her and hearing what she was saying
She said, “Congratulations on your wedding”
Alexander jolted awake and sat up to realize it was just a dream, fat as the pante Eadest, despats atsoid reality flooded hack since ophta had truly left him and given him that blessing, though he felt no appli
The pain in hits heart surged files a tide, making it hard to breathe, while the weight of her absence pressed downs on him relentlessly. Beiremblingly held his head, helplessly pleating, “I’m sorry. Fin sorry, Hoplita. Elaw I was wrong Don’t don’t make me unable to find you. Please come see ine. I really can’t take this
rom that day on, Sophia vanished He slie’d evaporale
His emotions gradually collapsed in this despair.
phia, where are
how many
lurused, he couldn’t tud het.
His launched shoulders trembled slightly as his eyes gradually moistened with tears that blurred his vision, whille occasional sobs escaped, filled with despali and helpless
Eventually, he fell asleep clutching sophia’s pillow tightly.
The next day, Alexander dressed properly and went to the company
During the day, he worked to compensate for the losses from that heldent, staying mill or 12 PM every night.
11
erebelore,
Because Sodda was strabl of the dark, he always came lume early to be with her
But now, thinking of what he’d done during this period made his heart feel toutapart
Hjelt a wher was afraid of the dark alone in the mintain to walls down by herself, while he stayest in a warm home with
For me, he witched he could travel back and kill his past self. At least ten Splita might still have some attachment to blac Ret nesting he thought new was ful what happens had happens, and Sophia still hasli’s been found
Every day we turned home, theagh his insly was exhausted, his nerves rematel feuse the teated missing any news alust Beydila
the day rety an alcohol to shop When drunk, he’d this phone and Sophia aposligetts iskapes
The next morning, he’d wake to countless chat bubbles with no response.
He spent every day like this, visibly becoming more haggard,
Seeing his condition, friends invited him out for drinks to help him cope.
In the private room, everyone looked at his dejected state, unsure how to comfort him. Fortunately, he didn’t need comfort.
He just silently drank glass after glass, quickly becoming too drunk to know where he was.
He collapsed on the sofa, constantly touching the ring hanging around his neck, mumbling, I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Sophia. I love you, I really love you. Please forgive me… Come back to me… I can’t live without you… I really can’t live without you…”
Everyone in the room was shocked by this scene, not expecting Alexander’s love for Sophia to run so deep.
It was as if Sophia’s departure had taken his soul with her. When he’d arranged his marriage, they thought he’d moved on and was keeping her as a mistress.
They never realized this relationship had taken root in his heart.
When his assistant called, Alexander was in an important meeting,
ing, but hearing there was news,
ews, he immediately dismissed everyone. The assistant sent several photos, saying, “This is a popular B&B. These photos show the owner, who looks very similar to Mrs. Sterling.”
He still called Sophia “Mrs. Sterling” because Alexander hadn’t told him to change it.
This was the only lead in six months, and Alexander stared at the photos on his phone–only a profile was visible, but he recognized his Sophia immediately.
She looked happy in the photos, which both relieved him–she wasn’t affected by that incident–and pained him, because he wasn’t sure if her lack of being affected applied only to that incident or included him as well.
But he couldn’t think about that now–he had to find her.
Not a m
a moment could be wasted.
He had his assistant book the earliest flight. The assistant mentioned, “Mr. Sterling, you have an important client meeting tonight…. “You go instead. Tell them I’m dying, and can’t make it.”
He hung up, grabbed his suit jacket, and hurried downstairs toward the airport.
