Chapter 53

Sophia

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, and then again, I try to imagine myself speaking. Opening my mouth, I force my vocal cords to work while trying to make a sound... but all I get is to manage a grunting sound.

Sweating starts to form on my forehead as the sun beats down on my skin... but the exhaustion that I am feeling is from pushing myself hard to speak.

Last night, Rose told me she wants me to talk normally like everyone... she doesn't want me to talk to her in her head.

I don't know how to explain to her that I try so hard to be a normal mom for her, but I can't.

Looking up, I wipe my fingers beneath my eyes and clear the tears that escape my eyes.

My emotions are all over the place, and it has something to do with Mikhail.

Seeing him again was a reality check for me because, for all these years, I thought his presence wouldn't affect me, but I was wrong.

He still affects me.

And I don't know what to do about it; his presence rattled me from inside, stirring those emo