Chapter 256 Chapter 256

Chapter 256 Chapter 256


Sophia's POV.

The next morning was bright and so was the news along with it. Somehow, we were not under the government's radar anymore. As if that was not enough, I got the news that they had found out where Vincent was hiding and they wanted to strike fast before he caught a hint that we knew where he was.

The morning couldn't get any better till I realized it was for a few others, especially Hailey. She hadn't shown her face for hours since dawn.

I looked around for her until I stumbled upon Benita knocking at her door. She refused to answer, telling Benita that she wanted to be left alone for a while. I watched Benita walk away dejectedly and somehow I felt sad too. It was because of her that things were suddenly changing. She knew she had messed up and she sought to change but even when she did, she didn't feel quite complete.

“Maybe I can try knocking,” I said to myself,but before I could walk up to her, a chuckle behind me sent a chill down my spine.

“You must be Sophia,” the woman said with a smile. “You've grown up already, time really doesn't wait for no man.”

“Uhhh, hey Amaris, it's so good to see you,” I extended my hands for a handshake. She stared at my hands for a while and grabbed it.

“Me too,” her smile widened. “Ohhhh, you look so much like your mother.”

“You knew my mother,” I asked with a curious smile.

“Of course I did, we were once classmates till I travelled out of the country,”

“How was she? Sometimes, I really wish I knew a lot about her younger years but she…” my shoulders dropped in sadness.

“She passed away, huh,” she said flatly, causing me to look up at her. “Your mother was sweet and beautiful. She loved being optimistic and that was what caught the eyes of your father,”

“My father barely talks about that part of her,” I managed to smile.

She shook her head, staring straight into the hall. “You can't blame him, I mean Elena did steal him from him. It's not really a proud story to tell if we are being honest,”

I hated her already. Times like this made me wish I wasn't trying to be a better person. I would have called her out for being a terrible loser and fake personality. My stare hardened into a frown and she returned the same gesture but as my grandmother walked in on us, she put on the prettiest smile ever.

“Good morning, you are glowing this morning.”

“Am I?” Isabella said to me and I put on a fake smile along with her.

“Of course you are. When are you ever not grandma,” my lips parted.

“What are you both doing here?” She asked, pouting her lips in curiosity.

“We thought about having a…”

“I was on my way to Hailey's room,” I cut in before she could complete her obvious lies to please my grandmother.

Her mouth was open when I cut her off without a care in the world. Isabella gaped at us with a confused frown, then Amaris was forced to accept my statement.

“Actually, I saw her standing here and I decided to have a little chat with her.”

“Okay, that's good. Let's have breakfast together, I heard your father has somewhere important to be,” she voiced.

“Okay grandmother, I'll be with you in a minute,”

“Won't you follow us?” She insisted.

I didn't want to disappoint her, but I didn't want to be around Amaris either. She was giving off a weird aura that I found too disgusting.

“No, I'll just wait for Hailey.”

The smoke on her face dissipated and I gulped heavily. “Why? I thought you hated her.”

“Uhh, hate is a strong word, but I'm just looking out for everyone,” I lied. There was no way I was telling her that I was making a change for the better. She'd make a weird face and try to feel my temperature.

So we stood there for a long time making eye contact until she was forced to give up and tried to grab my hand.

“We both hate her. Why would you try to…”

Her door clicked open and we all stared in our direction, a different expression written on all our faces. Amaris quickly walked away with a begrudging look and my grandmother glared at her before leaving as well.

I was the only one who stood and waited for her.

“And suddenly, everyone hates me again,” Hailey shook her head as she walked up to me with a straight look.

“They don't hate you, they just… they just need their time to get used to you,” I tried to make her feel better.

“Nice try Sophia, but you don't have to lie to me. I know your mother brought Amaris to try and seduce Damien,”

My heart felt hollow. I didn't expect her to be so direct with it. A part of me felt the guilt of bringing her back to compete with another woman for the love of her husband.

“My father still loves you, Hailey,” I placed my left palm on her right arm and tightened my grip a little more. “It may seem like he hates you, but I know there is no way he is choosing that woman over you. You have a son for him, you and him both got history, so chill and relax,”

“Did you know that was his first love?”

I froze again, running out of things to say. I could have just walked away when I had the chance to,but I chose to stay and now I was being forced into a tough situation.

“It's not easy to get over your first love, Sophia. We both know your father might be swimming in the memories they both made. It's not as easy as you think.” Hailey whispered. “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course you can,” I drew closer.

“I am scared.” She whispered. “I'm scared that he's gonna kick me out when all of this is over. I couldn't sleep well after I found out that Amaris was going to be staying for sometime. We actually had a confrontation and she told me… she told me… she…” Hailey sniffled as her voice broke down into a heavy breath.

Last night must have been really tough on her, yet she concealed it and looked normal.

“I'm sorry Hailey. I'll talk to him, I'll talk to my father. He won't kick you out, you mean so much to him,”

I pulled her in for a warm embrace and she held me so tight that I could feel how vulnerable she felt, how hurt she felt deep down.