Sophie exclaimed, “What did I do wrong? I just asked him to lend me some money! I’m your only daughter; all your money will eventually be mine, so what’s the harm in getting it early?“N
Her shameless words left us all stunned.§
Ethan chimed in, trying to reason with her, “Exactly, Mom! You only have Sophie as a daughter. Why would you leave everything to outsiders?”
Sophie’s mother pointed at Ethan and scolded him, “Shut up! Do you think you’re any good? Sophie, your father and I didn’t tell you this because we didn’t want to hurt your pride. Do you really think Ethan loves you? Do you know how he left you?“}
“He took your private photos and blackmailed us for two hundred thousand dollars. If we didn’t pay, he threatened to post those pictures online.”
“You think he was forced out? You’re mistaken. He left because we saw through his true nature and tore up the facade. Only you still believe he loves you; all he ever cared about was your resources and money.“}
Sophie stood frozen, murmuring, “Impossible. How could that be? You’re just saying this to hurt me.”
Ethan interjected, “Sophie, don’t listen to your mom’s nonsense. I never did anything like that.”}
Her mother replied fiercely, “We have bank transfer records. Do you really think you can hide the truth?“>
Before Ethan could respond, Sophie slapped him across the face, shouting, “You lied to me! You took those photos and threatened my parents! How could I ever like someone like you?“>
Just as the argument escalated, the surgery room lights went out, and a doctor emerged, shaking his head. “I’m sorry; we did our best.“} Sophie’s mother fainted immediately, while Sophie turned pale and staggered back, covering her face as she knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. “Dad, I’m sorry! It’s all my fault; I was an unfilial daughter who caused your death!”
Devastated by the news, Sophie’s mother fell ill and became bedridden. Sophie wandered aimlessly, unsure of what to do.
As a student of the professor, Emma and I took charge of organizing his funeral. We supported his wife as her hair turned nearly white overight from grief.§
Standing at the professor’s grave, his wife looked at Sophie kneeling on the ground and said coldly, “Leave. From now on, I’ll pretend I don’t have a daughter like you. Your father wouldn’t want to see you again.”}
Sophie cried out on the ground, “Dad, I’m sorry!” But the professor could no longer hear her pleas.}
As I left the cemetery, I spotted Sophie standing at the foot of the hill with swollen eyes looking at me. “Kyle, have I made a terrible mistake?” she asked through her tears.}
“I didn’t mean it; Ethan deceived me. Can you forgive me?” She then collapsed into my arms.
I quickly steadied her, “Whether I can forgive you doesn’t matter; it’s your parents you owe an apology to.”
She looked at me with sorrowful eyes and said, “Kyle, I’ve filed for divorce from Ethan. Afterward, I plan to return to my mom’s side to take care of her. Can we start over?“D
I shook my head and pointed to Emma waiting for me ahead. “I have a girlfriend how; we’re very happy together. I’m even planning to propose.”2
Sophie gazed at me with desperation, “Kyle, Dad always hoped we’d be together. Don’t you want him to rest in peace knowing we’re back together? He would be so happy if he knew.“}
Looking at her felt like staring at a stranger; for Ethan’s sake, she had twisted the truth and falsely accused me. Now she wanted to leave him but also wanted me as a backup plan. The Sophie I knew had transformed into someone I despised.N
I finally said firmly, “Sophie, there’s no chance for us to start over. You’re no longer the Sophie I liked. Besides, Emma is wonderful–she was introduced to me by the professor himself; he would be pleased we are together.”
“Focus on making your own life better.“}
