CHAPTER 5

Sophia’s POV

My chest felt like it would explode any time now. “It doesn’t matter,” I eventually said to Troy. “It’s none of my business now. I don’t care what he does with that woman or with whomever.”

Then staring hard at him and my foster mother, I said sharply, “We’re definitely not getting back together, so the two of you should just stop going to him for money! Just stop!”

“But…” Brenda began to protest. 

I raised my hand to stop her. “Elijah and I are over. Besides, I’ll soon move to France and study there. And since you only contacted me again because of Elijah’s money, then now you won’t have any more need for me, right?”

They were both shocked at my words because I had never spoken like that in the past. But it was time for me to step up and put myself first for once. 

“All the money that you swindled out of my ex-husband’s pocket, consider it as your payment for raising me,” I went on in a steady voice. “We don’t have to see or talk to each other ever again.”

On the way home, I began to feel a migraine coming. I closed my eyes and massaged my temples as I sat in the back seat of a cab. 

All of this drama’s taking a toll on me, I guess. 

But as I neared the house, I felt increasingly queasy and unwell. I realized my health hadn’t fully recovered since the loss. 

“Could you please take me to the hospital?” I asked the driver, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rising nausea. He nodded and quickly changed course, navigating toward the nearest medical facility.

The ride felt endless, each bump in the road exacerbating my discomfort. By the time we arrived, I could barely contain the churning in my stomach.

I burst through the hospital doors, a wave of dizziness threatening to overwhelm me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled forward, nearly colliding with a figure in front of me. Before I could hit the ground, strong hands gripped my arms, steadying me.

Gasping for breath, I looked up and found myself staring into the concerned eyes of a very handsome and familiar-looking man.

“Are you okay? You look like you're about to faint,” he said, his brows furrowed with worry. With our eyes locked on each other, before I could even reply, a look of recognition crossed his features. 

“Oh, wait! It’s you. Sophia Bennett from Green Valley High, right?”

I was surprised, looking at him closely. His features reminded me of someone I knew a long way back. “Uh, Daniel?” I eventually said, recalling his name. We had gone to the same high school, but he was a year older than me. 

“Yes, yes. Wait, let me bring you to our family doctor. You look really pale.”

I felt too sick to pretend I was fine, so I just let him lead me through the corridor and into one of the clinics. He quickly introduced me to the doctor whom he seemed to know well. 

As the doctor greeted me, concern etched across his face, I explained how I'd been feeling. He listened attentively, nodding as I spoke. After a brief discussion, he led me to an examination room, asking Daniel to wait outside.

The examination was thorough, and I appreciated the doctor's calming demeanor. Afterward, he suggested some basic tests to determine the cause of my symptoms. 

“How are you feeling now?” Daniel asked kindly once I sat down beside him in the waiting area. 

“A little better, but still kinda dizzy,” I answered honestly. “Thanks for the assistance, but it’s okay if you have somewhere to be. You’ve already done too much for me.”

“Oh, it’s okay,” he said with a smile. “Unless you don’t want me here.”

“It’s nothing like that, of course!” I quickly replied. “Thanks for accompanying me. It feels good to have someone to talk to while I’m here.”

“Well, I’m all ears. People say I’m a good listener.”

I beamed at him, his presence a comforting anchor in the sterile hospital environment.

Chuckling, I said, “I don’t really know you, Daniel…”

“You know my name. That’s a start.” His grin seemed to brighten up the surroundings, and I just felt immediately comfortable with him. 

I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity and trust wash over me. We hadn't been close in high school, but something about his calm demeanor and genuine concern made me want to open up.

“I remember… Daniel Pierce…” I began, smiling. I could feel my headache and nausea diminishing. “High school jock, but a bit geeky and always at the top of the class.”

He laughed. “You’ve got a good memory, Sophia Bennett. I remember you too — the smart, quiet, very talented artist whom all the boys noticed but never had the nerve to approach.”

I laughed too at his astonishing description of me. “You’re joking!”

“No, it’s true… Really! I’m sure you’ve managed to get yourself a very good-looking husband. Let me guess, a CEO?” 

He was kidding, but hitting close to home made me frown as I remembered Elijah. “Good-looking, yes. CEO, yes. But husband? Not anymore.”

“Oh.” His expression changed immediately. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“You know, it's been a rough few months,” I began tentatively, twiddling my thumbs in my lap. “I'm actually going through a divorce, and my family... they keep asking for money from my ex-husband, which just complicates things even more.”

Daniel's expression shifted to one of empathy, and he nodded, encouraging me to continue.

“And then I lost my baby...It's been tough, physically and emotionally. I just feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, you know?”

He nodded in understanding. “I’m so sorry to hear all that, Sophia. But you seem like a really strong woman. I’m sure you can get back on your feet in no time. Usually, it helps to be in a change of environment. Have you considered that?”

“Yeah, starting anew in a foreign land,” I answered, thinking about my application in France. 

“Hmm… sounds like a pretty bold move," Daniel remarked, his eyes reflecting admiration and amusement at the same time. “It takes courage to make such a big change.”

I smiled weakly. “Actually, I've applied for graduate studies in France. It's something I've always wanted to do.”

Daniel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really? That's incredible! I recently got accepted at the Goldwell Business School in Paris…”

My jaw dropped. “What? I’m planning to go to the Goldwell Institute of Art!”

He looked at me with astonishment. “What are the odds, huh? Looks like we’ll be seeing more of each other. Those institutions share practically the same campus.”

I couldn't believe the coincidence, though I was still feeling down. “That’s really… something else.”

“Surely you’ll get in. Where do you plan to stay in Paris?”

“The Latin Quarter, of course. I’m looking at an apartment there, since it’s where most students live.”

Daniel chuckled. “And it looks like we’ll be neighbors too. I think we were meant to cross paths again right now, right here.” He gave me a lopsided grin. “Who knows? Maybe we’re destined to explore France together! When you book your plane ticket, let me know. Let’s fly together. I mean, if that’s alright with you?”

His offer warmed my heart, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope. “Thank you, Daniel…”

Suddenly, I heard my name being called by the assistant, motioning for me to come back into the clinic. 

“Miss Sophia Bennett?” she informed me. “Your test results are here.”