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."

washing up, they flopped straight into bed and fell asleep without

Natalie and Marcus' room so he could respond quickly if anything came

Not long after, the entire group had drifted

slept soundly

next morning, Natalie and Marcus were woken by the

brush her teeth and wash up. Marcus followed her into the bathroom, and the two stood side by side, washing up

they were done, Natalie couldn't help but

dragged you to a place like this for our honeymoon.

one bit. I'm actually grateful to have this chance to be part of

smiled with her eyes crinkling. "This is my past,

pulled her into

to stand on tiptoe

intimately for a while before gently pulling apart, both catching their

first full day here.

Let's go. I'll take you

"Okay."

they happened to see Sophia and Zachary coming

Natalie said. "Are Zane and Connie up

wants to rest a bit more. They slept through the school bell, so I let

said, "Yesterday was a tiring day. Let them

around the field with the kids," Zachary said, pointing toward the track. "The kids seem

doesn't sleep much and is energetic. He's got what it takes to handle kids," Marcus said thoughtfully as he looked toward the file. "Might as well

at Marcus.

Elijah's

Elijah suddenly felt a strange sense

wondered if it was because he got

thought aside, he continued

his stamina, a mild cold was nothing. A little rest and warm

more laps, Elijah guided the kids through post-run

that moment, Marcus and Natalie

Elijah. Time for

"Okay, Marcus."