Liam becomes a good friend

**STEVEN WOLKER’S POV**

As I entered that room, observing Sophie, even with so much visible pain, she insisted on doing so, and I'm sure it wasn't something trivial that caused her to react like that. There was no way to ignore the fact that she didn't have this kind of personality. I always saw her as a sweet girl, not someone who was dumping all her frustrations.

“Can you help me, Steven?” Nathaly asks.

“ What did you do?” I inquire suspiciously.

“Me? Do you know the persecution this crazy woman has against me because of your love? To the point of throwing me down a staircase? You saw it.”

I take a deep breath, finding it all very strange. Especially because Sophie is an entirely different person from what I remember from all the time we spent together, both in the snippets, I remember. After losing my memory, she wasn't that person. Something extraordinary is happening there. But I need to be rational and act according to something legitimate.

“Do you have evidence, Sophie?” I ask.

She laughs mockingly and puts her hand to her forehead as if finding it funny.

_________________________

**SOPHIE MADSON’S POV**

“ I do, but I won't waste my time showing them to you. Stay there with your... your... pet snake.” I roll my eyes.

As I walked to the room's door, I stopped and looked at her again, who was now struggling to stand.

“Don't think it's over!”

I left the room at once and walked with great difficulty. Some startled staff were nearby and offered help, which I accepted until I left the house. When I exited, I saw the driver waiting, but I was going to start undoing everything related to Steven; it was time to sort out our lives.

I passed by him, who called my name and insisted I go with him, but I said his boss was someone else, not me. I walked slowly there; this was the biggest and best condominium in London, and I didn't know how long it would take me to even reach its exit.

I felt a few drops of rain and closed my eyes, feeling them wash my face and body. Not only that, but it was also washing my soul, which was devastating. I felt like the emptiest person in the world; memories of my mother and our moments since childhood made me even sadder.

*"I was seven years old. The house was simple, and our life even more straightforward. However, my mother received toys from the ladies she worked for as a daily maid. Their rich daughters donated brand-new and unique toys. Luckily, this time, she was moving, and I got a pink toy kitchen. That was my favorite place.

*“What are you doing, dear?” my mother approaches.

*“Dinner, Mom!”

*She laughs, and I give her a broad smile, feeling the kiss on my cheek. Then, she looked closely at the objects before me, analyzing what I was doing.

*“ When I grow up, I'll do all this in a real kitchen so you can rest.”

*She hugs me and gives a sad smile, seeming pensive. I knew more or less that she had problems with my father, but she never spoke about it because she asked me not to worry about it.

*“ Where are your drawings? I know you've been drawing,” she asks.

*“Yes!!”

*I run to my room, pick up some scattered sheets, and take them to her, who always patiently waits in the same place. I hand over the sheets excitedly, and she looks at each one carefully.

*“That's what I want, dear... you draw and make your future; you don't need to help Mom in the kitchen.”

*“This is Katy's doll... this is Meg's!” I point to the drawn dresses.

*“They're incredible. Shall we sew them for your doll?”

*She extends her hand, and I hold it, jumping. Whenever I made a drawing, my mother ended up sewing; she wasn't a professional, but I was delighted with the result; all the dolls had their exclusive dresses."

Those memories tore my heart. She always believed I had great potential in everything I did, especially in my drawings. After I grew up, I tried to help her as much as possible, setting aside the drawings and erasing them so that no one even knew what I liked to do since I was a child. I erased that part of myself.

I was in so much pain, so exhausted, and weakness began to take over my body. I sway to the side, my eyes heavy, and I feel strong hands holding me. I greatly try to open my eyes and see Liam's image appear before me.

“How did you…” I can't finish the question.

“ I live in this condominium, Sophie.”

That was the only thing I could hear. Then darkness takes over my vision, and I completely black out.

________________________

When I open my eyes, the house I'm in is totally different. It has a masculine and modern feel in shades of white, black, and gray. Still feeling a bit groggy, I glance around and then turn my head to see Liam sitting in an armchair right beside me.

“ You should be forbidden from going out on rainy days. Or rather, I'll have to walk around the city on rainy days to find you wandering around.”

I give a weak smile and run my hands over my body, but instead of feeling my clothes, I think of a thick, cozy fabric. I'm startled and look down; I'm wearing a white robe, and my face immediately flushes.

“My clothes, you... you…” I stutter.

I feel utterly embarrassed at the thought of him having changed my clothes.

“My staff did that; I would never have the audacity, Sophie. “ he chuckles.

I feel more relieved and try to get up; strangely, I'm not in much pain, which is new because I was starting to get used to it. He stands up, helping me do the same.

“ I called a doctor to evaluate you and prescribed intravenous medication; I hope you're feeling better.”

“Thank you, Liam, physically I am.”

“ What happened?”

A trigger for those who are sad and that damned question. We might show strength, but when someone asks us what happened or if everything is okay, we automatically collapse. So now wouldn't be any different. Tears stream down my face, and he pulls my body close to his; I let myself be hugged and sob as I remember everything I've been through these past few days. He asks me to talk, and I don't hesitate to vent and tell him everything that has happened recently. He gave me a lot of advice, among them that I should go to the police, but I had already gone through a tiresome process after Steven's accident, and she came out victorious.

It was no use dealing with this; money and corrupt people were everywhere. I knew that people of this level would fall alone, and her fall would be brief.

“Your clothes are already dry and ironed. Carmin, please... Sophie's clothes.”

“Yes, sir.”

The woman who appeared in the room bringing a breakfast tray, which would actually be lunch due to the time, left immediately after the order, and even though I didn't feel like eating, I was forced to avoid fainting again.

“ I have to go to the hospital to take care of... of... my mother's funeral.” it was so difficult to pronounce those words.

“I'll accompany you. “ he offers.

“ No, Liam, there's no need.”

“I have some free time. I'm a spoiled heir with no schedule to follow, so I'm happy to help.”

I give a half-smile, feeling good about not having to be alone now. I didn't know what I would do without a friendly shoulder. After having my breakfast under his analytical eyes, he left shortly after confirming that I had eaten everything properly.

The clothes were already on the bed, and I put them on again. They were clean, and I'm thankful for that. I didn't want to return to that house again; I would look for a flat, a hotel, whatever, but at this moment, I would only return in extreme necessity.

I went to the hospital that morning, but they indicated that a more detailed examination would be done, and the funeral could take place in a few days. Since it was necessary to make everything clear, I accept the information, and when I mention that I will look for a place to stay, he insists that I stay at his house until everything is sorted out. It will be a safe place, and I can rest during the mourning days to finally say goodbye to my mother definitively, feeling a little better physically. He was right. We head to the house where I live to get some clothes, and just by looking at that place, a knot in my stomach is already felt. I hurriedly grab everything I can and leave immediately.