And start becoming someone else.
Chapter Four
SOPHIA
Four days back in Vixen Falls, and the apartment walls have become everything I know.
My boss keeps calling, but I don’t answer. Annie has tried visiting, knocking, and begging me to open up, but I can’t. Nothing can get me out of this bed.
It isn’t until my fourth day back that I hear a key turn in the lock. I don’t even ask who’s there. I don’t have the energy.
“Sophia, baby, where are you?”
Mom.I forgot she has a spare key.
Her footsteps move quickly down the hallway, and then my bedroom door swings open. “Sophia, what are you doing? You need to get up.” She doesn’t wait for a response. She storms straight to the curtains and yanks them open, flooding the room with light.
I cover my eyes with a groan. “Mom, just leave me alone. Please.”
She moves to the next window, then begins picking up clothes from the floor, folding them neatly, and laying them on the bed. “Sophia, this has got to stop.” She sits on the edge of the mattress and looks down at me. Her silky blonde hair is tied back in a ponytail, her blue eyes are steady and full of quiet concern. She’s sixty-three but looks forty. She has always looked younger than she is, thanks to her daily walks, good food, and great skincare. She takes care of herself, and right now, sitting beside me, she looks heartbreakingly put together compared to the mess I am.
“Honey, I know you’re hurting, but your father and I are worried about you.”
Shoving my face into the pillow, I pull the duvet over my head. I know she’s right. I know this isn’t healthy, but I can’t move pastit. I’ve lost the love of my life, and no amount of fresh air or good intentions is going to change that.
Her hand moves gently through my hair. “Why don’t you come and stay with us? Let us take care of you.”
Pushing the cover back, I look up at her. “No, Mom. Staying with anyone isn’t going to change anything.”
The tears come fast.
She leans down and pulls me into her arms without hesitation. “Oh, baby, that’s it, let it out. I’m here. I’m right here.”
Crying until I’ve soaked through her top, she doesn’t pull away once. Her hand moves in slow circles at the back of my head, steady and warm.
“Sophia, I’m here for whatever you need. But darling, you have to get up. This isn’t something you can stay in bed for.” She cups my face in her hands and tilts it gently toward her, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Come on. Shower first, and then I’m taking you out for a proper girls’ day.”
“Mom, please… I’m not ready to go out.”
There are tears in her eyes now too. She blinks them back and runs her thumb softly down my cheek. “Do this for me? Please.”
Looking at her, really looking at her, I see just how worried she is, and it hurts more than I expected. Letting my shoulders drop, I give her the smallest nod.
“Okay. But I can’t promise I’ll be good company.”
She smiles and pulls me close again.
“That doesn’t matter. Just please, pretty please, take a shower.”
A smirk finds its way onto my face despite everything. “Are you saying I stink?”
“When was the last time you had one?” She’s already on her feet, pulling open my drawers, grabbing underwear and a bra.
“I’m trying not to be offended, Mom.”
She crosses to the closet, pulls out jeans and a shirt, and holds them out toward me. “Well, darling, yes. You do stink. Here, this’ll work.”
“I don’t need you to choose my clothes for me.”
