In search of freedom

**SOPHIE MADSON’S POV

A week has passed, and I have taken all these days to think about myself. I thought about how my life had lost all its meaning, and tomorrow would be the day to say the final goodbye. I was nervous; it was night and raining outside. These days were like winter, and I compared my heart to the cold and cloudy weather.

“What are you thinking about?” Liam appears right behind me.

I was standing in front of the large window of his house, watching the raindrops hit the glass hard and slide down. I take a deep breath and answer without the need to look away.

“Tomorrow, I will bury my mother. I never thought I would go through this now. Not like this.”

“ I understand. I've lost family members before, and I know how painful it is.” he tries to comfort.

I turn to face him, looking at him with a half-smile, knowing that if I'm okay now, it's because of his understanding. I know that everything would be different if Steven hadn't lost his memory. I also know that within that messy man, someone loves, but the events are somewhat tricky. Like a puzzle of thousands of pieces, the more we try, the more we tire our minds. In my case, I got tired of putting it together.

“Thank you once again for everything. I'm going to sleep; tomorrow will be a difficult day.” I sigh.

“Don't forget to call me, okay?” he points out. “As I said, a spoiled heir…”

“ ...who has no schedules to follow,” I repeat before he completes.

We smile at each other, and I head to the guest room where I've been staying since I arrived at his house.

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It dawned a bit sunny; the weather gave a truce so that moment wouldn't seem sadder than it already was, even though that was impossible. I was finishing putting on black tailored pants, a T-shirt of the same color, and on my feet, low-heeled sandals. I look in a mirror as I tie my hair into a ponytail, and to disguise the signs of crying throughout the night, I put on sunglasses.

I look at my phone and see countless messages, calls from Steven, and all possible numbers. Everyone tried to call, and there were also different numbers, but I wanted to wait to talk to anyone. If they think I'm selfish, I'm sorry, but I can't do that now.

I go downstairs to the living room of that new environment, and he is standing there with his hands in his pockets, waiting for me.

“You're punctual,” I affirm.

“Not very, but if you say so…”

We leave the house, I get into his car, and we head to the hospital where my mother has been all this time. Upon arrival, I first dealt with a lot of paperwork, and they also explained the reports that indeed pointed to a heart attack, making it clear that for the doctors, it was natural. Still, for me, it was induced even without conclusive evidence.

After everything, the funeral home took care of taking my mother's body to the cemetery, and I went along with Liam. I stood there in front of that place, watching her being laid there for all eternity, tears streaming down my face and covered by sunglasses while he caressed my shoulder in an attempt to give me strength. She was so beautiful when they finished, with the gravestone placed and engraved with her name and a photo of her when she was younger.

My knees weaken, and I touch that tombstone, imagining I'm touching her face; the crying becomes even more intense.

“Mom, I should have taken you away from there. I should have gone to a place far from everything and everyone who wants to harm us. It's my fault…” I pour out. “ I will carry your teachings with me. I will do everything not to suffer anymore, to be happy for you and me because I know that's what you wanted. I love you so much!”

At that moment, I can't forget about my son; the image of my mother with a baby in her arms comes to my mind, and I know they will be together somewhere, watching over me.

Liam remains silent, letting me pour out and get everything off my chest.

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**STEVEN WOLKER’S POV**

I was devastated, sitting on that abandoned couch like any other. Unshaven, hair disheveled. There came a moment when I didn't think at all about myself. I was imagining the pain Sophie felt; I was suffering too because even though I realized I would be a father so late, that feeling was now so deeply ingrained in me. There came a moment when I asked not to wake up when I slept and put an end to all this widespread suffering. After his mother passed away, I later found out that she had beaten Nathaly right there. I wanted to be by her side, but that was the last thing Sophie wanted.

When I found out that today was her mother's funeral, I didn't think twice and grabbed the car keys. I headed to the same place immediately and drove towards where she would be burying her mother. When I got out of the car, I walked towards the cemetery, but I was surprised to see Nathaly walking beside me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask hurriedly.

"I came to give you strength; isn't that what girlfriends are for?"

"You know everything that happened, and you're still here."

"I owe nothing; I can't go against my truth, Steven."

I didn't have time to waste, so I ignored her and walked towards the place one of the cemetery staff pointed out. When I spot Sophie, I stop immediately, feeling a huge blow. Seeing that she is hugging that jerk who took advantage of her vulnerability, he consoles her. It was supposed to be me in that place, and fury takes over.

"Look, not even at her mother's funeral... she's not stupid," Nathaly comments.

"Shut up!"

I quicken my pace, and when I'm at a short distance, they notice my presence and immediately move away from each other.

"Why is this guy here with you?" I ask, holding back all my hatred.

"I'm accompanying Sophie in this troubled time; she can't go through all this alone."

"I didn't ask you? Don't be nosy!" I shout.

I was angry at that perfect way of that guy. Any woman going through all this would be wholly needy and vulnerable, I once again have to control my impulsiveness.

"And you? How dare you come here bringing this pet of yours with you? Did you come to confirm if your plan worked, you fifth-rate slut?"

"I'm only here out of respect and to give Steven strength."

"Damn you!"

Sophie gets furious, even going after Nathaly, and she shrinks, grabbing my arm to protect herself.

"Sophie, these are serious accusations," I warned her.

"Screw you, both of you."

My breath was panting as I looked at the two in front of me. I wanted to break that perfect guy's face, snatch Sophie away from there, and make sure he never came near her again.

I turn my back, walking quickly, because I promised myself I would try to control all my impulsiveness and put even more fuel on this fire that should have been extinguished long ago.

"I didn't do anything, I don't understand why she..."

"Shut up, damn it!"

She fell silent and is now quiet. That's exactly what I needed—for her not to open her mouth now.

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**SOPHIE MADSON’S POV**

We left that place, leaving behind the most important person in my life. Now I had to carry it with me in memory and my heart. I could let all the sadness consume my life, but I knew I would be doing everything she didn't want for me. We shouldn't only give pride in life because the best tribute is to win for them.

After a long shower, remember everything that happened. My feelings for Steven were a mixture of anger and love, love for the person he was before, and anger for being so early and lost; no effort was enough.

When I'm ready for dinner, wearing a dark dress, loose on the body, gives me the comfort to finish the day and plan my new steps tomorrow. I go down to the dining room and hear him on the phone when I pass Liam's room. I couldn't contain my curiosity, being rude to listen behind the door.

"Dad, I know you're a man of principles, especially related to the people you work with. I suggest I reconsider having the corporation with Steven Wolker," he asserts.

Even though I knew his father made it clear his fascination with love and marriage principles as one of his business touches and demands, I couldn't help but feel a little guilty, but it passed as soon as I remembered that I didn't seek this out.

"Yes, he lacks ethics and doesn't uphold everything you require. I know how much you value good things; we'll talk about this later," he hangs up.

I quickly left, walking down the hallway hurriedly because I didn't want him to notice my rude behavior.

"Sophie? Are you going to dinner?" he asks when he sees me in the hallway.

"Yes!" I reply, a little embarrassed.

"I'll join you!"

We walked side by side. He didn't want to touch on the subject, and I wasn't going to say anything because if he was being honest with his father, it had nothing to do with me.