Chapter 16
Having an elderly parent was a blessing, not a burden.
No matter what Dad’s condition, Sophia never saw him as a burden or someone holding her back.
Margaret, who’d been watching, sighed.
“When he’s clearheaded, he keeps saying he doesn’t want to burden you. He even asked me to get him some poison.”
The words cut through Sophia like a knife.
“Don’t listen to him, Margaret. Dad could never be a burden to me.”
“I know, honey. I’ll keep a close eye on him.”
Margaret wiped her eyes. These two broke her heart–both so sick, both suffering.
The young woman had even written her will. Her only request was that someone care for her father after she was
gone.
After dinner, Sophia lay in bed and opened her blog for the first time in months.
*March 21st, 2025. Sunny.
Three months since I left Lucas and Nathan. Today they actually found me. After all this time, I just realized I posted that last entry publicly instead of keeping it private.
I’d finally forgotten about the two men. Why did they have to find me? Why can’t they just leave me in peace?*
Sophia cried as she typed. Life was twisted like that.
Want something desperately and it never comes. Stop wanting it and it shows up anyway.
She closed the blog and opened her Ins messages, Putting them off the blacklist.
Since they’d found her, might as well deal with everything at once.
Running never solved anything.
The second she unblocked Lucas, her phone exploded with messages from him:
[Sophia, I’m sorry. I screwed up. I just wanted you to admit you were wrong…]
[You’ve always been in my heart. I never hated you! I was just hurt by how easily you walked away.]
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Ride or Nie us Fated Encounter? I’ll Soln This Love Game!
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Chapter 16
[Do you forgive me?]
He’d sent that right after she unblocked him.
Sophia didn’t answer about forgiveness. She only sent a message about meeting up, then switched to Nathan’s chat:
[Nathan, let’s meet tomorrow. At the tea house across from my place.]
There was a small tea house across from her cabin. Usually packed with tourists, but quiet this time of year, so she figured it would be a good place to talk.
Nathan texted back: [OK.]
Another night sleepless.
The next morning, Sophia hung a “Closed Today” sign on her door and walked to the tea house.
It was nearly empty, so she spotted Lucas and Nathan at a window table immediately.
Taking a breath, she walked over and sat down.
‘Sophia…”
‘Sophia…” they both said at once.
she cut them off. “We’re not close. Don’t pretend we are.”
Both men flinched, the words hit them like ice water.
We’ve known each other for years…” Lucas said quietly,
Sophia shook her head: “I came here only to say goodbye properly.”
She’d left so suddenly before. Now she thought a face–to–face goodbye felt right.
Nathan’s grip tightened on his cup: “Goodbye? Why? After all these years together, you’re just throwing it all away?”
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