Chapter 70
The morning air was crisp and refreshing. With nothing pressing on my schedule, I found myself lounging at home, savoring the rare moment of peace.
Liam had already left for school, leaving the house quiet. After my recent emotional spiral, I had made the decision to step back from teaching. My students weren’t thrilled, but they understood—I hadn’t been myself lately.
I planned to return after the baby arrived. For now, my focus was on my children and the Hope Foundation.
Processing everything that had happened in the past few weeks was still a challenge. The sudden shift in everyone’s behavior, except for Isabella’s ever-present disdain, was jarring.
But I refused to dwell on it. Instead, I grabbed my phone and dialed my mother. She answered instantly.
"Hey, Mom," I greeted, still adjusting to the word.
"Sophia!" she squealed, her voice bursting with excitement. "Alexander, darling, our girl is on the phone!"
A shuffling sound followed, then the familiar echo of speakerphone.
"Hi, Dad," I added.
Their love story fascinated me. High school sweethearts, still inseparable after thirty-five years. If I had still believed in love, theirs would have been the kind I’d chase.
But I didn’t. I had accepted that love wasn’t in the cards for me. My future was set—just me and my children.
"Sweetheart, how are you?" Dad’s warm voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"I’m good. Just wanted to check in."
I still hadn’t told them about the pregnancy. My bump was starting to show, but oversized shirts hid it well. Deep down, I knew it hurt them, though they never let it show.
As for Daniel, I understood his guilt. He was avoiding them because he felt unworthy of their kindness.
I had sent him the latest ultrasound. His response had been emotional—he couldn’t wait to meet our baby. He respected my choice to keep the gender a surprise until birth.
"Sophia?" Mom’s voice snapped me back.
"Sorry, zoned out for a second," I murmured.
"It’s fine, darling. Are you still coming this weekend?"
"Yes, but Liam won’t be there. It’s his weekend with Ethan, so it’ll just be me."
The Blackwood and Sterling families used to have monthly gatherings. I was rarely invited, and when I was, I was treated like an outsider.
Noah was the only one who ever acknowledged me. Most times, I ended up leaving early or crying in the bathroom.
The gatherings had stopped for months, but now that my parents were back, they had resumed.
"Shame he can’t make it, but we’re happy you’re coming," Dad said.
I was about to reply when a sudden noise distracted me—a bark, then scratching. At first, I thought I imagined it. Then it happened again.
"Dad, I’ll call you back. Something’s up," I said quickly.
"Alright, sweetheart."
I hung up and followed the sound to the backyard.
Chaos.
My garden—completely destroyed.
I gaped at the devastation.
"Do you have any idea how long it took me to grow those?" I fumed, glaring at the culprit—a massive, fluffy husky with striking gray eyes that reminded me of Ethan and Liam’s.
He whined, giving me puppy-dog eyes, but I wasn’t falling for it.
"Organic food was the whole point of this garden," I snapped. "And you just wrecked it."
He whimpered, but I crossed my arms.
"Oh no, those adorable eyes won’t work on me. How are you going to fix this?"
Despite my irritation, my resolve wavered. He was ridiculously cute—thick black-and-white fur, those soulful eyes.
"Never seen someone melt so fast over my dog," a deep voice remarked.
I turned so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash.
Holy hell.
The man standing there was unfairly attractive—jet-black hair, piercing green eyes, sharp cheekbones, and a jawline that could cut glass. His lips looked sinful, and his body? Pure temptation.
I knew what I was thinking: Sophia, don’t be fooled again by a pretty face.
But appreciating beauty wasn’t the same as falling for it.
"Have we met before?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "You look familiar."
He studied me before answering. "Yeah. Same school. You were two years below me."
I wracked my brain but came up blank. Back then, I’d been too obsessed with Ethan to notice anyone else.
"Lucas Montgomery," he supplied when I still looked lost.
Recognition hit.
"Oh my God—Nerdy Lucas?" I blurted.
He groaned at the old nickname, shooting me a glare that had zero effect.
"Wow. You had one hell of a glow-up," I said, stunned.
The Lucas I remembered was scrawny, with oversized glasses and braces. His face had been a battlefield of acne, and he’d spent more time in the library than with people.
Now? He looked like he belonged on a magazine cover.
"Yeah, well, thanks," he muttered awkwardly.
"I also remember you had a massive crush on Isabella. How’d that work out for you?" I teased.
His expression darkened. "And you were in love with Ethan. How’d that go?"
"Touché," I murmured.
The old pain flickered, but I pushed it down.
I didn’t know Lucas well, but I was glad he’d escaped Isabella’s toxicity. Her love for Ethan would have destroyed him, just like Ethan’s love for her had destroyed me.
"Dad, can I watch TV?" A small voice interrupted.
I turned to see a boy with the same striking green eyes as Lucas.
"Hi, I’m Sophia," I said, unable to resist.
"Hi," he replied shyly.
"What’s your name?"
"Oliver."
"I have a son your age—Liam. You should come over and meet him when he’s back from school. If that’s okay with your dad."
Oliver looked up at Lucas, who sighed in defeat.
"Fine," he grumbled.
I studied Lucas, searching his eyes. There was something there—pain, loneliness, a wounded soul.
He shifted uncomfortably. "I’ll get someone to fix your garden tomorrow."
"Rex," he called, and the husky trotted to him.
With a nod from Lucas and a smile from Oliver, they left through a gap in the fence I’d never noticed.
I watched them go, realization dawning.
In Lucas’s eyes, I had seen the same darkness I’d been running from for years.
A kindred spirit.
And I couldn’t help but wonder—what had hurt him so deeply?