Chapter 111

The whole ride there, Brandon just kept his cool, driving in silence, not much chatter.

When they pulled up at the hotel entrance, Brandon hopped out and hauled Sophia’s suitcase down for her.

Sophia grabbed her suitcase, flashed a smile, and bid Brandon farewell.

“When you heading back?” Brandon asked.

“In a few days, I guess.” Sophia replied, still uncertain, since it all hinged on how Haley was bouncing back.

Brandon nodded, “If you need anything, give Kent a buzz.”

“Will do,” Sophia nodded back.

She gestured to the hotel lobby behind her, “Well, I’m gonna head back in.”

Brandon returned the nod, watched her enter the hotel, and didn’t move until she vanished around the elevator corner. Then he spun around and got back into his car.

Sitting in the car, he was wrapped in silence, not speeding off just yet.

The window was down, the night wind was whooshing, fluttering his hair..

Right across was the river.

River Song in the West district meandered from west to east, broad and silent. Every once in a while, you could spot a night cruise ship rumbling by.

Brandon watched the slowly receding ship, his mind at peace, the kind of calm that settled after reason had had its say.

He could totally relate to Kent’s words, longing for the old Brandon, the even-tempered one, unflappable by anything or anyone at any time.

missed that Brandon too.

floundering over anyone, not tormented like a caged animal

side, the comfort of coming home to her, the fullness in his heart when she crossed his mind. But life

things. Since Sophia chose to go solo, respecting her decision was the best way to honor

journey together, if it was

surged in his stomach at the thought.

his abdomen, glanced up at the brightly lit hotel, fired up the engine, and the

her hotel room, Sophia stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching that familiar black

was staying on the second floor, not too high, giving her a clear view

drawn back the curtains when she noticed Brandon’s car was still there.

saw his pause in the car, his calm, indifferent profile, and his eventual departure. She couldn’t quite name the feeling in her heart

Feelings, moods, lots of things fade with time and distance. Out of sight, out of mind, no thoughts, no pining.

she

aren’t things you can just drop with a single word.

avoiding meeting was the best exit strategy for

Sophia’s life back on its regular track.

known about Haley’s situation before coming back, she hadn’t booked a return flight

rushed home at night to work on

the villa incident from two years ago and hadn’t warmed

to it.

had yearned for maternal love and had tried to curry favor with

was simply to

worry for Mom

be understanding and obedient, taking Laura’s scolding as a

then, she didn’t know Laura wasn’t her biological mother and blamed

a

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255