CHAPTER 61 SOPHIA The moment I stepped into the house, a sense of foreboding gripped me. The air was thick with tension, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous awaited me. And then I saw her – Catherine, perched on the living room couch like a vulture ready to strike. "What do you think you're doing, Sophia?" she spat out, her eyes blazing with fury. I couldn't let her intimidate me. "I'm living my life, Catherine. Just like you should be doing." She scoffed, a condescending smile playing on her lips. "You respond to my email with such insolence, and you think you can just walk away?" "Insolence? If standing up for myself is insolence, then call me insolent," I shot back, refusing to cower. Catherine rose from the couch, her anger palpable. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into, young lady." "Oh, I'm well aware," I retorted, my patience wearing thin. "You can't control my life, Catherine." She took a step closer, her gaze piercing through me. "You

CHAPTER 63 SOPHIA’S POV The soft hum of the plane's engines quieted as we touched down on the French soil. Excitement bubbled within me as I looked out the window, taking in the picturesque landscape that unfolded like a canvas painted with the hues of France. As Henry and I stepped off the plane, the crisp French air greeted us, carrying the promise of a weekend filled with adventure and romance. The vacation house awaited, a charming abode nestled in the heart of the French countryside. Henry shot me a playful grin, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Bienvenue en France, Sophia!" I chuckled. "Merci, Monsieur Henry. Now, let's go and conquer this weekend." Our luggage in tow, we ventured towards the waiting car, the driver giving us a warm welcome in impeccable French. Henry nudged me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Did I mention I'm fluent in French?" I rolled my eyes with a smirk. "Oh, please. Fluent in ordering croissants maybe." He laughed, the sound echoing in the

CHAPTER 65 part 1 SOPHIA’S POV I tiptoed into the living room, careful not to wake Henry, who was blissfully asleep. The soft glow of the lamp painted a cozy ambiance, and I settled onto the couch, cradling my phone in my hand. A few taps and Kylie's familiar voice greeted me on the other end. "Hey, Sophia! How's everything going? Spill the tea!" A giggle bubbled up within me, and I launched into a lively account of our time in France. "Girl, you won't believe the drama we had at the museum. So, Henry and I are just casually enjoying the art, right?" Kylie chuckled, "Go on, I'm all ears." "Then, out of nowhere, these two guys decide they need my number. I tell them I'm with Henry, and they start with this whole 'daddy issues' nonsense. Henry, being the knight in shining armor, told them off, but they just wouldn't quit." Kylie burst into laughter, "Seriously? And then?" "Henry punched one of them! Can you believe it? I mean, I told him not to, but he couldn't stand their trash

CHAPTER 66 SOPHIA’S POV The wheels screeched against the runway as the plane landed, bringing us back to a reality I wished was just a bad dream. The car ride home was a silent ordeal, each passing mile carrying with it the weight of unspoken words and shattered dreams. As we entered the house, the imposing silence felt like a dark cloud hanging over us. My father's disappointment was palpable, and I couldn't escape the harsh reality of his gaze. Kayla, awkwardly caught in the crossfire, tried to diffuse the tension. "Sophia, sweetheart, let's sit down and talk about this," my father suggested, a futile attempt to bring order to the chaos that had become our lives. I couldn't look at him; the disappointment in his eyes was a mirror reflecting my own shattered expectations. "Talk? What is there left to talk about, Dad? You've made it clear how you feel." Collins sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Sophia, I thought what you had for Henry was just a phase, a childish infatuation. B

CHAPTER 68 SOPHIA’S POV The morning sunlight streamed through the window as we sat at the breakfast table—my father, Kayla, and me. The atmosphere, however, was far from sunny. I pushed the scrambled eggs around my plate, appetite absent, my mind occupied with thoughts of Henry. "Dad," I finally mustered the courage to speak, "when can I go back to school?" He looked up from his newspaper, his brows furrowing. "What's the rush, Sophia? You just got back." I sighed, a heavy burden on my chest. "I need to get back to my life, Dad. I can't stay cooped up here forever." He exchanged a glance with Kayla before addressing me. "Sophia, I'm making some calls to have you transferred back here permanently. It's for the best." My fork clattered against the plate as I shot up from my chair, frustration bubbling within me. "Transfer me back? Dad, you can't do that!" "Why not?" he replied, his tone stern. "Because it's my life, Dad! I'm an adult. You can't control every aspect of it," I ret