The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 410

"Sophia, it's not that I think Mr. Holt isn't a good person." Samantha hesitated, trying to find the right words to express her concerns.

"Mom, I know what you mean." Sophia interrupted her. "You don't have to say it. I'll keep my distance from Zachary. We're just friends, and we'll only ever be friends."

Her words didn't reassure Samantha. Instead, they made her feel even more heartbroken.

Sophia should have had a good life. But it had all been ruined—because of Ivan, Julia, Ruby, Emma, Sky, and the true mastermind behind it all, Shane.

If not for them, Sophia could have grown up like any other woman—loved and cherished by her parents, safe and sound.

She could have met someone she loved, someone who loved her in return.

They would have fallen in love, gotten married, and built a warm and peaceful life together, growing old side by side.

But instead, here she was—lying in a hospital bed, scarred inside and out after enduring so much suffering.

"Mom, I'm well aware of my past. I won't long for things that don't belong to me. You don't have to worry about me."

Sophia reached out and held Samantha's hand. A mother knew her daughter best, but the same was true the other way around—she understood her mother just as well.

With everything she had been through, Samantha had feared that she would never find true love and happiness. That instead, she might fall into an even darker abyss.

She understood this and had never planned on looking for love again.

"Mom, don't worry about me. I have no desire for romance." Sophia hugged Samantha tightly. "For the rest of my life, I just want to live well with you."

"Natalie is giving me an opportunity to work, and I want to repay her for that.

"But she told me I should live for myself. Even though she's the one giving me this opportunity, I shouldn't treat it as a way to repay her. What I need to do is use this job to make myself better—to build a better life for both of us.

"She said, 'You weren't even afraid of death, so what else is there to fear?'

"I've already died once and have been reborn. From now on, I'll fear nothing. I'm not afraid to meet Sky. I'm not afraid to face Shane. And I'm certainly not afraid to face Emma.

"Mom, I'm not afraid. So you shouldn't be either. Okay? We both deserve a new beginning."

Hearing Sophia's words, Samantha's eyes turned red again.

There were so many things she wanted to say, but at this moment, she found herself speechless.

Sophia understood everything, but the price of that understanding had been far too high.

"Mom, I'm lucky because I met Natalie."

Sophia tightened her embrace. "So many people who have gone through what I have ended up with nowhere to turn. They were left with no way out except to end their own lives.

"But look, I'm still alive. And the ones who hurt me? They're all paying the price! Isn't that already good enough? So, don't be sad. Men are not necessary."

Samantha choked up. "But Sophia… I just want you to be happy."

"I know, and being with you makes me happy. Don't worry about me. As long as you're okay, I'm satisfied."

"Alright. We'll both be okay." Samantha stifled. "If you're going to meet Sky, then I'll go with you. I also plan to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Walker. They invited me over before, but I wasn't in this mood."

"Mom, they are kind and didn't cover up for Sky. Don't take your anger out on them."

"I know. I'm not unreasonable."

"Okay. Mom, I'm hungry. I want some stuffed rolls from Anderson's. Can you go buy them for me? I don't want a delivery. I want the ones you buy for me."

Samantha immediately understood the underlying message.

Sophia was trying to send her away so she could handle something on her own.

"Alright, I'll go."

Sophia wore a soft pink knit cardigan over a white off-shoulder top, paired with a light gray cotton-linen skirt.

Her hair was loosely pinned up, and she wore simple earrings and a necklace. With light makeup, she looked healthy and radiant.

In contrast, the once-dashing Sky, always dressed in sharp suits, now wore the facility's uniform. His face was haggard, and he had lost a significant amount of weight.

Zachary stood beside Sophia, his gaze indifferent as he looked at Sky.

Sky also noticed Zachary at this moment. Their eyes met briefly. As men, they understood each other's thoughts in an instant.

The next second, Sky averted his gaze and bowed deeply to Sophia. "I'm sorry."

His voice was sincere, his attitude genuinely remorseful. It was clear he truly meant his apology.

Sophia didn't respond. She merely looked at him coldly.

"I know that no matter how many times I say sorry, it won't undo the pain I've caused you over the years." Sky looked at her bitterly. "I've thought a lot these past few days. I don't understand why I acted the way I did. Every time it came to Emma, I lost all reason.

"But I don't want to make excuses. What I did was wrong, and I don't expect your forgiveness. I only hope you'll accept the compensation from the Walker family.

"My parents have reclaimed all the assets under my name. They've said that all of it will go to you as compensation. Additionally, they've arranged further compensation. I hope you'll accept it.

"Sophia, I swear, I'm not asking for a leniency statement in return."

Seeing the sneer flash across her face, Sky quickly added, "My parents didn't hire a lawyer for me. Even if I had one, I would still plead guilty. I can't undo the harm I caused you. Offering you compensation is the least I can do to ease my conscience—"

"Don't worry. I'll accept it," Sophia cut him off. "Sky, I only came to see you for one reason."

"What is it?"

Her cold gaze locked onto him as she enunciated her next words clearly. "Now that you know Emma isn't your biological sister, if neither of you receives the death penalty, will you still protect her when you get out? Will you still marry her?"