“You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Don’t let me off the hook so easily. I didn’t mean those things. They came from a place of hurt, but that doesn’t make it right. I know you’re not your father.”
“But I am his daughter.” She pulls my hands into her lap. “The look on your face when I said the name Alexandra Townsen broke my heart.”
“I was in shock, Lex. I was fired up about Sophia. I didn’t expect to see you there and then to find out who you are.”
“That’s just it. Who am I isn’t a name, but that’s all you saw.”
“I know who you are, Lex. I just got lost in my own shit.”
She nods, but there’s a quiet, unshakeable determination in her eyes that I’ve never seen before. “I’m done living in fear of their disapproval. I’m done letting my father control me. And I’m done blaming myself for being weak and not standing up to him sooner. I’m moving forward. And I want that for you too.”
She cups my face, her touch soft, her gaze tender. “I love you, Chaz. You’re the best man I have ever known. You deserve to live a life free of my father. Free of that anger and hate. You don’t have to forgive him, but my hope is that you can find a way to let it go.”
When Sophia opens the door the next morning, I can tell something has shifted. There are still shadows under her eyes, but the grief that clung to her last night seems lighter. She’s standing taller, her shoulders pulled back like she’s decided she won’t let this break her.
“Hey, Lex,” she says, letting me in.
“Hey.” I slip off my coat and follow her into the living room. A glass sits on the coffee table, its bubbly contents sparkling next to one of the romance novels I’d given her. This book I recall has a fiery protagonist who resembled Sophia. Maybe it was serving as inspiration to get her mojo back.
“How are you feeling?” I ask when we’re seated on the couch.
“It comes in waves. But I’m trying to ride them out. I’m going back to work tomorrow.”
“That’s great, Sophia, if you’re ready. Just don’t rush yourself. It’s okay to take your time.”
“I know, but I don’t like being down.” She pauses, then adds, “C said I might want to consider talking to someone, like a counselor or therapist.”
“What do you think about that?”
“I think it could help. Like you said, the more I talk about it, the less power it has over me.”
I nod in encouragement. “That’s absolutely right.”
“Do you want a drink or anything?” she asks.
“No thanks. I’m going to stop at the café, but I wanted to see you first and tell you something.”
“That your father’s Theodore Townsen?”
I blink, caught off guard, though I suppose I shouldn’t be. “I didn’t want to keep that secret from you any longer.”
“C told me this morning. He told me everything—about your father and my dad.” She tucks her feet beneath her and picks up her glass. “I never knew my dad, so I can’t feel what C does. But now I get why he was so against me working for a big company. I told him he might want to talk to someone too. That’s a lot to carry all this time.”
“You’re a wise one, Miss Sophia.”
She gives me a small grin. “It’s your story that gave me this boost, or whatever.”
“My story?”
“Yeah, the way you stood up to your father for C. So, like, maybe I can do that too—take on Drew Marshall.”
“You definitely can! You already did. But if I can protect you from having to confront him head-on and still make sure he pays—would you want me to?”
Sophia tilts her head. “How would you take him on without me?”
“It wouldn’t be without you. It’s still your fight. But I’d like to keep your name out of the press and avoid dragging you into a public scandal.”
