Chapter 87:A Trip to the Past

Sophia stood outside the ancient home in the cool morning air. Compared to what she recalled, it seemed smaller. The door had become a dismal gray, the paint was flaking, the wooden stairs groaned beneath her weight, and time had not been kind to it.

She inhaled sharply. Both pleasant and unpleasant memories were stored in this dwelling. She had wept as an adolescent, smiled as a kid, and learnt the difficult lessons that had molded her into the person she is now.

With a gentle touch on the small of her back, Alexander stood next to her. "Are you certain you want to do this?"

Sophia gave a nod. "I must"

Her nostrils were assaulted with the smell of dust and ancient wood when the door creaked open. Everything seemed stuck in time, even though the home had been deserted for years. Recollections flashed through her head as she ran her fingertips over the stairway's edge.

She said, "I used to sit here and hear my parents fight." "I always wanted to vanish."

Alexander's hand gripped her more tightly. "You've changed from that scared little girl."

She smiled a little at him. "No, I amn't."

Slowly they made their way through the home. The sofa was still in the living room, although it was dusty. As usual, her mother's favorite lamp was slanted slightly on the table.

Then she went inside her former bedroom.

Her favorite hue from childhood, lavender, was still painted on the walls. Years of usage had damaged the little desk in the corner. She touched it with her fingertips, then pulled the drawer open.

She discovered a pile of letters inside.

As she lifted one up, her heart raced. It was a recognizable handwriting design.

That of her father.

When Sophia unfurled the first letter, her hands shook.

Sophia, my best friend,

I need to let you know that I'm sorry about everything, even if you don't read this. You didn't get what you wanted. Our family was let down by us. I hope you will forgive me someday, but I wish I could go back in time.

She was gasping.

She turned to the other letters. They were all the same—regrets, apologies, and unspoken words.

Her eyesight became blurry due to tears. "He wrote to me, but he never sent them."

Alexander put his hand on her shoulder... "Perhaps he was unsure how."

She exhaled a tremulous breath. "I assumed he didn't give a damn all along."

She read every letter while sitting on the dirty floor. Some were enraged and hateful of themselves. Others were tender, filled with want. She had never encountered that aspect of her father.

Following that,

Her eyes fell on a name.

Jacob.

She read attentively.

Sophia, I was in error. However, I worry that Jacob will do the same. He's already associating with the wrong people. He ignored my warnings. Know that I tried, if anything were to happen to him.

Sophia's blood froze.

Her father was aware that Jacob was in danger. He had attempted to stop him.

However, Jacob kept this to himself.

Alexander knelt next to her. What is meant by this?

Then Sophia gulped. It indicates that my dad made an effort to rescue him. Additionally, Jacob never informed me.

She balled the letter in her fist. "I need to speak with him."

Her mind was full with questions as they exited the home.

Why hadn't Jacob told her? Did anything else happen, or had he disregarded her father's warnings?

She almost failed to see the man standing next to their vehicle since she was so absorbed in her thoughts.

Until Alexander stiffened next to her.

Sophia raised her head;

Then it was frozen.

The afternoon light cast a shadow on the face of a guy wearing a black coat.

She recognized him right away.

Jacob’s longtime companion. The person who had misled him.

The guy gave a sly smile. Sophia, hello. I believe we should have a conversation.

Sophia's heart raced.

As Sophia fixed her gaze on the guy before her, her body became stiff. She felt cold in his presence. She would always remember his face, even after all these years.

With a voice like steel, Alexander took a defensive stance. "Who in hell are you?"

His hands were crammed carelessly into the pockets of his black coat as he grinned. “Calm down, Blackwood. I'm just here to converse. He looked at Sophia. "Hasn't it been a while?"

Sophia took a large gulp. Nathan.

Jacob's former "friend" Nathan Kingston. The guy who had first exposed him to the world of crime, deceit, and manipulation.

She never imagined seeing him again.

Despite the strain in her body, she said in a stern voice, "What do you want?"

Nathan chuckled softly. "I've heard you went to your childhood home. You must have located the letters. He smiled more broadly. "This implies that you have finally learned the truth about Jacob and your father."

Sophia balled her fists. "Knew?"

Nathan cocked his head. "I knew, of course." Your dad made an effort to prevent Jacob from becoming like him. He even advised me to avoid him. He let out a loud sigh. "Unfortunately, Jacob didn't pay attention."

With an aura of unadulterated might, Alexander moved closer. "Why didn't you stop him, if you knew?"

Nathan's gaze clouded. "Because Jacob made his own decisions." He glanced back at Sophia. However, I have a question for you. Does anything alter now that you are aware that your father attempted to rescue Jacob? Is Jacob still the antagonist in your story?

Sophia's breath caught. The inquiry struck a deep chord in her that she hadn't anticipated.

She had been deceived by Jacob. His decisions had ruined her life. However, if her dad had attempted to caution him... If Jacob had been lost before he had a chance at all...

Was he less guilty as a result?

She dismissed the notion with a shake of her head. "Jacob's actions, not my father's warnings, put him in prison."

Nathan gave a shrug. "If it helps you sleep at night."

Sophia lost patience. "Enough games, Nathan. What's the true reason for your appearance?

His smile vanished and his face became serious for the first time. "Because a major event is about to happen. And Jacob is involved.

Sophia's heart raced. What are you saying?

After a moment of hesitation, Nathan sighed. To put it mildly, Jacob's history is finally coming up to him. Despite the fact that he is imprisoned, there are some who want retribution. They will pursue him—and maybe you as well.

Alexander's muscles stiffened. "Is there a threat there?"

Nathan shook his head. “No. This is a warning. He cast a look at Sophia. Before removing Jacob from your life entirely, you may want to reconsider. Because he may be the only one who can stop what is about to happen, whether you like it or not.

As Sophia comprehended what he had said, her heart pounded.

Nathan stepped backward. "Sofia, be careful. I'll be in contact with you shortly.

Without saying anything else, he vanished into the darkness.

Sophia's thoughts were racing as she turned to Alexander. "What's our course of action?"

Alexander's eyes blazed with resolve, and his jaw was clenched. We discover precisely what Jacob is concealing. And we halt whatever is approaching before it gets to us.

Sophia took a large gulp.

She still had her history to deal with.