No Longer yours

Keep her safe

“Sofia?” Mara’s voice cracked slightly. “It’s me. I’m at the hospital… Yes, I’m okay, or I will be. But I need you. Daniel won’t listen to me. Please… can you rush home right now and take care of Lily? I don’t trust anyone else with her.”

Sofia was quiet for half a second, confusion clear in her tone. Then something clicked. Her voice sharpened with worry and determination.

“Okay, I’ll head to your place right now, sissy. Just hang in there. I’m on my way.”

She ended the call abruptly.

Sofia dropped the half-washed clothes back into the basin, water splashing everywhere as she stood up fast. Her heart was already racing. In her past life, Mara had never called her for help with Lily. Not once. Something had changed.

Could it be… she’s been reborn too? Sofia thought as she grabbed her bag and keys. She sighed, murmuring to herself, “If she has… that’s a good thing. A really good thing.”

The journey to the house felt endless. Sofia sat in the back of the cab, staring out the window, her mind spinning with memories she wished she could forget. When the cab finally pulled up to the estate gates, she felt a wave of nausea and rage hit her all at once. This place — this beautiful prison — had driven her to her death in her last life.

She took a deep breath, pushed the madness down, and called for the gate man. The gates swung open.

Sofia walked straight to the front door and knocked firmly.

The door clicked open. Daniel stood there, looking irritated and surprised.

“You’re here,” he said flatly. “So Mara seriously called you.”

Sofia gave him a small, cold nod. “Good evening, Daniel.” Her voice was polite but ice-cold. She didn’t smile. “Where’s Lily? I’m here for her.”

Daniel stepped aside without another word and pointed down the hallway toward Lily’s room. Sofia walked past him without thanks, her shoulders tense.

As she passed the living room, she caught sight of Vivienne and Lena lounging on the couch like they already owned the place. Sofia’s jaw tightened. She forced herself to look away and kept walking, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a greeting.

She climbed the stairs and pushed open the door to Lily’s room.

The little girl’s eyes widened the moment she saw her. “Aunty Sofia! You’re here!”

Sofia stood frozen for a second, staring at the fragile, innocent child who had suffered so horribly in their previous life. Her chest ached.

She snapped out of it and walked over, sitting gently on the edge of the bed. “Hey, sweetheart. How are you doing?”

Lily scanned Sofia’s eyes carefully. Should I tell Aunty Sofia what happened? Will she believe me?

Sofia suddenly paused and glanced around the room. “Did you hear someone speak?”

Lily shook her head. Then her thoughts flowed again, clear as day inside Sofia’s mind: In my past life, Aunty Sofia died… But I don’t want her gone.

Sofia’s eyes widened. Before she could process it, Lily wrapped her small arms around her in a tight hug.

This was the exact day in my past life Mom signed over her inheritance to Dad, thinking he loved us deeply. How do I tell her not to sign it? Not to go to that banquet? Dad will cause an accident… it won’t kill her, but it’ll almost take her life.

Sofia’s heart slammed against her ribs. These were exact details from her own past life.

Wait… Lily has been reborn too?

She gently pulled back and looked directly into the little girl’s eyes. For a long moment, she just stared, seeing the old soul trapped in that small body.

“Lily,” Sofia said softly, keeping her voice steady, “tell me something… why is your hair wet?”

Lily’s thoughts rushed forward again: It’s better I don’t tell her. She won’t believe me. In my past life, nobody ever did… not even Mommy, until she finally saw Aunty Vivienne’s true colors. Lena poured water on me, and Aunty Vivienne told me to say I peed on myself. She wanted to make me look bad.

Sofia swallowed hard, fury burning hot in her chest. She kept her face gentle, hiding the storm inside.

“Don’t worry, Lily,” she said softly, stroking the girl’s damp hair. “If you don’t want to speak, it’s okay. Come on, let me clean you up.”

Lily’s face lit up with a bright, trusting smile. “Finally! You’re the best, Aunty Sofia!”

Sofia smiled back, her heart twisting, and carefully lifted the little girl off the bed. She carried her straight to the bathroom and took her time cleaning her up washing the dried tears from her face, changing her into fresh clothes, and speaking to her in soft, comforting tones the whole time.

Once Lily was settled back in bed, Sofia kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back, okay? Rest for now.”

She stepped out of the room, closed the door quietly, and immediately pulled out her phone. Her hands were shaking as she dialed Mara.

Mara picked up on the second ring.

“Sofia? Is everything okay? How’s Lily?”

Sofia kept her voice low but urgent. “Lily’s fine for now I’ve got her cleaned up and comfortable. But Mara… you need to get yourself discharged and come home as soon as possible. We really need to talk. Face to face. There are things happening here that you should know about. Important things.”

She didn’t mention the telepathy that she can hear lily’s thoughts. That conversation needed to happen in person.

Mara was quiet for a beat, then answered, “I’ll try to push for discharge tomorrow morning Just… keep her safe until I get there, please.”

“I will,” Sofia promised, her voice fierce. “I swear I will.”