Return to the Homeland
1717 Words
Nathan Scott glanced sideways at Isabella, his eyes slightly downcast, making it impossible for Sophia to read his expression.
"This is..." Nathan began, but suddenly, Isabella's body slipped towards the ground.
"Isabella, Isabella, are you okay?”
Nathan's eyebrows knit tightly as he swiftly caught Isabella, asking anxiously.
"Nathan, my stomach... it hurts so much..." Isabella cried out in pain.
"Sophia, no matter how ruthless you are, you shouldn't have attacked a pregnant woman. Don't disappoint me," Nathan coldly admonished, his dark eyes glaring at Sophia.
"I told you I didn't!" Sophia denied again. She hadn't touched Isabella. How could she have pushed her? She wouldn't harm a pregnant woman.
It was then Sophia realized why Isabella, despite her pregnancy, had leaned into her—she was trying to frame her.
"We'll talk about this at home. If anything happens to Isabella, I won't let you off. There are plenty of people who can replace your precarious position," Nathan said sharply, then carried Isabella to the emergency room.
Sophia stood frozen, shocked by Nathan's words. He wouldn't let her off? Her position in the Scott family was replaceable?
Sophia let out a bitter laugh.
"The lady of the Scott family..." she scoffed. "The lady of the Scott family..."
She had never coveted the title; all she ever wanted was Nathan Scott.
But was that also too much to hope for?
Sophia didn't remember how she got back to the Scott house. Barefoot, she lay listlessly at the bedroom window, staring blankly at the crumpled divorce papers with Nathan's flamboyant signature. It felt like she was stuck in a trance.
She thought of the conversations in the hospital room, the disdain Elizabeth had always shown her, the child in Isabella's womb.
She remembered chasing Nathan for years, loving him, but his heart was like a millennium-old iceberg, never warming up to her.
Thinking of how tenderly Nathan had looked at Isabella earlier that day, a tenderness never shown to her, Sophia let out a low, despairing laugh.
Was it time to end this? Her love, her first love, her youth... all for nothing?
Sophia suddenly stood up, found a pen, and shakily signed her name on the papers.
Sophia Turner.
She had written this name for twenty-three years, but never as heavily as today. It felt like an entire lifetime had passed.
But suddenly, it was as if she had unloaded a heavy burden she had carried for years, and she felt lighter.
The shrill ring of her phone pulled Sophia from her sorrow. It was her mother calling.
Sophia took a deep breath, composed herself so her mother wouldn't hear her crying, and answered: "Hello, Mom..."
Before she could ask why her mother was calling so late, Mrs. Turner's pained voice came through:
"Sophia, your father... your father..."
Sophia felt a surge of dread, her hand trembling as she held the phone.
"Mom, calm down. What happened to Dad?"
"Sophia... your father jumped off a building and committed suicide!"
Mrs. Turner's words hit Sophia like a fatal blow.
Sophia's phone slipped from her hands. Picking it up, she grabbed her handbag and hurried to the Turner residence.
That night, the biting cold wind mixed with large raindrops pelted Sophia, making her look almost waterlogged, her hair a disheveled mess.
Arriving at the Turner villa, Sophia was shocked. The once orderly and clean villa was now in disarray, as if ransacked. The large gate was locked, and two threatening men were beating Mrs. Turner.
Sophia's mind went blank. Seeing her mother's bloodied forehead and her pain, she rushed over, pushed the men away, and held her mother, yelling, "What are you doing? Why are you in my house? Why are you hitting people?"
"Hmph! Hitting her is light. This place is no longer yours, Turner. Get out, or we'll make it worse!" The men spat on the ground and left in their car.
Sophia held Mrs. Turner tightly, asking anxiously, "Mom, are you okay? Where's Dad?"
"Sophia... you're back... your father... he was forced to jump off a building!" Mrs. Turner said through tears, barely regaining her composure.
"How could this happen? Why would Dad jump? What exactly happened?"
Sophia dialed emergency services, helping her mother to lean on her, urgently asking questions.
"I don't know... I don't know..." Mrs. Turner, usually uninvolved in business matters, was overwhelmed, her mind foggy from the shock.
Seeing her mother's bewildered state, Sophia felt panic rising within her. She grabbed her phone and dialed Nathan's number.
"Answer... please answer... answer!" Sophia trembled, biting her finger, tears flowing uncontrollably.
Finally, on the fifth call, after 29 seconds, the phone connected.
"Hello!" A melodious voice answered, and Sophia stiffened, recognizing it as Isabella's voice.
"Why are you answering? Where's Nathan? Let him take the phone!" Sophia pleaded, trying to suppress her anger.
"Oh, you're looking for Nathan? Sorry, he's taking a shower. He's divorcing you and doesn't want to take your calls. There's no use clinging on," Isabella said mockingly.
"No... let him take the phone. I have something important to say. Let him take the phone," Sophia said, her voice nearly breaking.
"Miss Turner, isn't it clear? What does your matter have to do with Nathan? He doesn't want to talk to you, not now, not ever. Forget him," Isabella said coldly, then hung up.
"No... no... I really have something important..." Sophia's voice was almost a plea, but the line was already dead.
Sophia redialed.
"Sorry, the number you dialed is switched off. Please try again later." A mechanical but gentle female voice came through, crushing Sophia's last hope.
Sophia collapsed to the ground, trembling in pain, helpless like a child, unable to control her tears.
Suddenly, Sophia felt exhausted, perhaps from the rain soaking her, as if all her strength was drained. Her eyes closed, and she collapsed onto the wet ground.
Life played cruel jokes. She was named Sophia, a name her parents chose hoping for a worry-free and smooth life. Yet, in one night, reality taught her it was all a lie, her life turning from joy to hell.
Five years later...
At North Hilltown Airport...
A slim, beautiful woman, stylishly dressed with waist-length wavy hair, high heels, and large sunglasses, held a phone in one hand and led a cherubic four-year-old girl with the other. The little girl was happily sucking on a lollipop, seemingly in good spirits.
Compared to the relaxed and smiling woman and little girl, the similarly four-year-old boy following them didn't look so pleased.
The cute boy, carrying a small backpack, slung a small handbag over his shoulder, and pushed a suitcase almost as tall as him, pouting unhappily.
The trio was none other than Sophia and her two children, Alex and Lily.
"Big beauty, little beauty, how can you let a little boy push such a big suitcase? Don't you have a conscience?" Alex said, eyeing the relaxed pair in front of him.
"My stuff was already shipped back. This is all yours. Deal with it yourself, and don't drag me into it," Sophia said, removing her sunglasses, her face beaming with hidden laughter.
"Alex, you are the brother. Do you think being a brother is easy? It's your honor to carry bags for your beautiful sister," Lily teased, licking her lollipop and smiling sweetly at Alex.
Alex snorted disdainfully, rolling his eyes at Lily.
"Brother? That sounds nice, but I was only born five minutes before you. Maybe the doctor even got it wrong. And besides, when do you call me brother unless you need something from me? You really have a thick skin!"
"Hmph! So what if I have thick skin? If you could, you should have stayed in Mom's belly a bit longer and come out later. Who told you to be so quick?" Lily stuck her tongue out at Alex, making a face.
"You... I won't argue with a little girl..." Alex said irritably, unable to do anything about Lily, and turned away.
Seeing Alex defeated again, Sophia smiled gently. Her prideful son, who was always stern with others, was always outmatched by her precious daughter.
She gently patted Alex's head, sympathetically saying, "Lily, can't you let your brother off the hook now and then?"
Lily licked her almost finished lollipop, shrugged her shoulders, and gave Sophia an innocent look.
Why was Mom always biased? Shouldn't brothers let their sisters win? Why did she always have to give in to Alex during their quarrels?
Turning her head and seeing Alex with a stern face, sulking on his own, Lily reluctantly pulled out her favorite milk-flavored lollipop from her bulging pockets and handed it over to him.
"Here, grumpy, take it!" Lily reluctantly said, blinking her clear eyes.
Her lollipop, her favorite milk-flavored lollipop. Well, she guessed she'd give it to Alex, the grumpy boy.
Alex looked at Lily's hand, then at her trying to appear indifferent but clearly longing for the lollipop. His icy demeanor gradually melted.
He took the lollipop from Lily, carefully unwrapping the candy, revealing the milky white, sweetly scented treat inside. He paused for a moment, then handed it back to Lily.
Lily's reluctant expression disappeared instantly, replaced by a sweet, intoxicated smile. "Thank you！"
"Hmm!" Alex's usually cool face showed a barely visible fondness, reserved only for Lily.
Sophia watched the interaction between her children, feeling very comforted.
These years abroad had been hard, but her two little ones had always been understanding and caring towards her, making all the hardships worthwhile.
Suddenly, the sound of a car horn blared nearby, drawing everyone's attention.
Sophia looked up to see a handsome man in a suit stepping out of a black Passat parked not too far away.
Seeing him, Sophia's face immediately brightened with an extremely tender smile.
Before Sophia could react, Lily ran towards the man and leapt into his arms.
"My little princess..."
The man lifted Lily into the air, spinning her around a couple of times, making her feel as if she was riding a merry-go-round, her laughter ringing out joyously.
Sophia watched this scene, her eyes curving into a smile of happiness.
After some playfulness, the man put Lily down, carefully straightening her dress, and holding her hand, they walked towards Sophia and Alex.
"Brother, I'm back..." Sophia whispered softly.
- Writer
