The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

"Sophia, wash up and get some rest," Zachary said, noticing how pale she looked.

After the long, exhausting journey, her body was clearly worn out. But Sophia hadn't uttered a single word of complaint the entire time. She had gritted her teeth and pushed through.

It was already late. If they were in Dithoria, they would be asleep by now.

"Okay." Sophia took a deep breath and didn't continue the conversation.

"Zachary, will you stay with me?"

Everything was unfamiliar, and the surrounding mountains made her feel uneasy.

"Of course. I wasn't planning to let you go alone anyway." He stayed with her as she washed up, and afterward, they returned to their room.

They had shared a bed back at the motel, so Sophia didn't hesitate now. She pulled Zachary straight to bed.

"Let's rest. We'll talk about everything tomorrow."

"Alright."

Zachary pulled the blanket over them and held Sophia in his arms.

"Sophia, I want you to be happy. I want you to forget all the painful things from your past. I know it used to be hard, but now that we've come this far, don't let the outside world shake you again, okay?"

His voice was gentle and low. Zachary's tone wasn't forceful. He always spoke calmly, but his words carried a steady, comforting strength.

Sophia nodded and closed her eyes. "I understand. By tomorrow morning, I won't let anything from tonight weigh me down.

"Don't worry, Zachary. I believe in myself. And more than that, I believe in you. I know your feelings are real, so I won't question them."

"Sophia, thank you for believing in me." Zachary kissed her forehead, turned off the lights, and held her close.

"Get some good rest. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Okay. Good night."

"Good night."

Connie weren't burdened by such heavy emotions. After washing

the other side of Natalie

was exhausted. Not long after, the entire group had drifted

slept soundly

morning, Natalie and Marcus

sat up and took a moment before heading to brush her teeth and wash up. Marcus followed her into the bathroom, and the two stood side by side, washing up

help but let

to a place like this for

feel wronged one bit. I'm actually

her eyes crinkling. "This is my past, but it's also

He pulled her

need to stand on tiptoe as Marcus always leaned down

intimately for a while before gently pulling

full day here.

Let's go. I'll take you to try

"Okay."

stepped outside, they happened to see Sophia and Zachary coming out too. They exchanged smiles and

said. "Are Zane and Connie

"I messaged Zane. He said he's still sleepy and wants to rest a bit more. They slept through the school bell, so

day. Let them rest, then. What about Elijah? Is

five laps around the field with the kids," Zachary said, pointing toward the track. "The kids seem to really like

takes to handle kids," Marcus said thoughtfully as he looked toward the file. "Might

at Marcus.

think Elijah's

suddenly felt a strange sense of

because he got up too early and caught a

thought aside, he continued

was nothing. A little rest

laps, Elijah guided the kids through post-run stretches.

that moment, Marcus and

Time for breakfast at the

"Okay, Marcus."