Chapter 1409

drive.

Inside the grand, albeit empty, halls of Aldridge Manor, the silence was almost deafening. Odie had navigated the car into the underground parking, Jonah by his side, while Sophie sat quietly in the back, lost in her thoughts. She hadn't uttered a word during the entire Once they parked, Odie broke the silence, saying, "I'll give you half an hour. Can you get everything ready by then?"

"My things are already packed, thanks," Sophie replied softly. Her voice was so low it was almost drowned out by the ambient silence. Odie, either not hearing or choosing to ignore, continued, "Be downstairs in half an hour. Don't waste my time." He stayed in the car, making it clear he was giving Sophie space. She stepped out and headed upstairs, into the heart of the manor.

Aldridge Manor was as imposing and stately as ever, yet it felt different-hollow and lifeless. Since Gordon had left a month ago, the once-bustling home had become eerily silent. No more footsteps on the stairs, no more doctors or specialists. Just a shell of what it once

was.

In her dreams, the manor was alive, filled with laughter and smiles. Sophie vividly remembered running from the backyard to the living room, where warmth and joy filled the air. Everyone was smiling, herself included.

door of Gordon's study, she hesitated. In a fleeting moment, she imagined him there, standing by the window, bathed in sunlight, smiling warmly at her. It was a comforting vision, but as she pushed the door open, reality set in the room was empty, and a pang

Gordon and the Aldridge

their mysteries, never to be fully unraveled. With a sigh, she left the study, unaware of the photograph tucked away in the top drawer-a snapshot of her on the Aldridge family swing, a memory Gordon chose not to carry with

the Aldridge family

in the

against the car,

cigarette. Jonah, curious, asked,

going to

"We're here so she can face reality

didn't know what had

of the manor, but he sensed that something had shifted for Sophie. Gordon's departure wasn't a mere

clearer. Jonah opened the car door for her

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