Chapter 217: Leaving the Country

Chapter 217: Leaving the Country

Sophia stood frozen, holding the photograph, not knowing what to do.

She understood how much Julia and Simon had treasured this photo.

They had always kept this photograph like a precious treasure, simply because it was their only "family portrait."

They had cherished this photo because Zachary was in it.

Now they despised it, still because of Zachary's presence, going so far as to completely erase his face.

This was the first time Sophia had felt so acutely the heartbreak and disappointment of Julia and Simon.

She found herself unable to say any words of reproach.

Finally, she could only silently put the photo away, pretending she hadn't seen it, slipping it back between the pages of the book with an unchanged expression.

She closed the storybook and said, "How about we don't read stories tonight?"

"Okay."

Julia and Simon nodded together, telling Sophia, "He gave us this storybook, and now we don't want it anymore. Mommy, we only want you. We don't want anyone else, and we don't want to look for Daddy anymore either."

Sophia's heart tightened again.

Ever since the children had grown older, though they never said it aloud, they would still occasionally ask about their father's whereabouts.

Now they were saying they never wanted to look for their father again.

She sighed silently to herself, feeling only self-reproach.

That things had become such an irreparable mess was entirely because of her own indecisiveness.

Knowing it would hurt the children, she had still been unable to cut ties with Zachary.

Fortunately, there was still a chance to make things right...

Sophia forced down the ache in her heart and said thoughtfully to Julia and Simon, "In that case, would you be willing to leave this place with me? We'll go back to our old home and continue living as the three of us, okay?"

"The home overseas?"

Sophia nodded. "That's right, we'll go back to the place where you grew up."

They looked at each other, holding hands, and nodded to Sophia with firm but heavy determination: "We're willing to leave here with Mommy."

Throughout it all, Julia and Simon remained frighteningly calm, neither crying nor making a fuss, not even mentioning Zachary anymore.

This only made her heart ache more, and all she could do was move faster to redirect the children's attention as soon as possible.

So that very night, she began preparing the paperwork for the children's school transfer and their departure from the country, hoping to get them away from this place of heartbreak as quickly as possible.

Julia and Simon watched silently, neither of them saying a word.

They just quietly packed their belongings, completely cooperative.

Sophia keenly noticed that Julia and Simon only took some clothes and gifts that she had bought them.

As for all the things Zachary and Dylan had given them, they left everything behind.

Their compliance was heartbreaking.

The next day, Sophia went directly to the kindergarten with the prepared documents to arrange their school transfer.

Then she made a trip to the consulate. Fortunately, her visa hadn't expired yet, and her connections abroad were still intact.

Starting fresh overseas wouldn't be difficult.

She breathed a sigh of relief, and on the way back thought of Lucas.

They had been living well abroad originally. The reason they had returned to the States was partly because Sophia wanted the children to grow up in their homeland, and partly because Lucas had shifted his company's focus domestically.

Since she had been his employee, she had naturally followed him back.

Thinking now of those past connections, Sophia still felt deeply grateful to Lucas.

She reached out to Lucas directly, and they arranged to meet at a restaurant.

Soon, Lucas sat across from Sophia in his business suit. Looking at the quiet ambiance, he smiled casually and asked, "It's rare to have dinner with you alone. Where are Julia and Simon?"

Sophia showed a faint smile, her overall mood subdued.

Lucas keenly sensed the change in Sophia's emotions and immediately dropped the playful expression from his face.

He looked at Sophia seriously and asked, "You called me here today—is there something important you need to discuss?"

Sophia smiled helplessly and slowly pushed forward a document. It was the paperwork Sophia had prepared when arranging the children's school transfer.

She trusted that Lucas would understand everything just by seeing this.

After Lucas read the contents, he first looked at Sophia with shock, as if he couldn't believe it.

But seeing Sophia's serious expression, his entire demeanor grew solemn, and he said in a low voice, "You're planning to take the children and leave? Have you thought this through?"

"I have." She pulled the document back, her voice calm but resolute. "Continuing like this isn't a solution. The children need a healthy environment to grow up in. They're innocent—their lives shouldn't be affected by my problems."

Lucas sighed. "It's because of that trending news the other day, isn't it?"

The news of Zachary and Paula leaving the hotel together had caused quite a stir. Lucas naturally hadn't missed it, and he had guessed that with Sophia's personality, she wouldn't endure such humiliation for nothing.

But actually seeing Sophia make this determined decision was still more decisive than he had expected.

Sophia didn't explain. After voicing the decision she had been keeping inside, her mood actually improved considerably.

She even ended up comforting Lucas, telling him, "It's just like before—the children and I think it was quite good. I just felt I should let you know about something this big."

Lucas's smile was bitter as he said quietly, "You're just informing me of this decision, not asking for my opinion?"

Sophia hadn't heard clearly and asked, "What?"

He shook his head, saying no more. Seeing Sophia's lighter expression, he simply raised his glass in celebration: "Since you've made up your mind, I trust your choice. Here's to wishing you and the children all the best."

They both drained their glasses in one gulp.

She showed a relieved smile: "Don't worry, worst case scenario, we'll just ask for your help if we run into trouble. As long as you won't find us bothersome."

"How could I?" He shook his head with a smile.

After they chatted for a bit, a server came to take their order and presented a promotional brochure, saying, "We have a special promotion today. If you two could leave us a good review, we'll give you each a complimentary signature dessert."

Sophia, changing the subject, cooperatively asked, "Really?"

She made a gesture of taking out her phone.

Just then, her phone screen showed a missed call notification. She glanced at it reflexively, instinctively wanting to answer.

But the next instant, the phone went completely black with a click, and in the end, she never got to see who had called.

Sophia looked puzzled and exchanged glances with Lucas: "Dead battery?"