Chapter 298
Chapter 298:
I paused, fighting to steady my breathing. “Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve this, Bryan. Why couldn’t I have a complete family like everyone else? Why did I have to go through so much pain? I’m so tired p>
I kept talking before I realized someone was standing silently behind me, listening.
“I never asked for much, Bryan. All I ever wanted was a quiet life. Why does that feel so impossible p>
I bit my lower lip, trying to hold back the sobs threatening to break free.
“Hey, listen to me. That’s what I’m here for. You have Craig, and you have me. We’re not going to give up searching for Layla, and once we find her, I promise you’ll feel better p>
“I really hope you find her soon p>
I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes as I tried to regain control.
“Belle p>
“Yes p>
𝖲𝗍о𝗋іеs 𝗒𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝗼n’𝘵 𝗽𝗎𝘵 𝖽o𝘄ո 𝗈n
“Don’t let your past trap you. Everything you lived through was only a lesson, not your whole story p>
A small, tired smile pulled at my lips, but I couldn’t find the words to answer.
“Anyway, I have to go. Just call me if you need anything, okay p>
“I will, Bryan. Thank you p>
When the call ended, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and tried to wipe away the last of my tears. The kitchen felt like a safe place to let my guard down. With Nanay Emily out all day and Daniel shut away in his office, I didn’t have to worry about anyone seeing me fall apart.
I never imagined the person who haunted the back of my mind was standing at the end of the hallway.
Daniel’s POV:
At the last minute, I remembered I’d left a stack of important documents at home—documents I needed for my meeting that afternoon. Since the office wasn’t far, I figured I could grab them myself instead of bothering Andrew or Denise.
The moment I walked in, I heard someone crying. I stopped, trying to figure out who it was, and then I headed straight for the kitchen.
What I found took me completely by surprise.
Sophia was standing near the oven, tears streaking her face, clutching her phone and struggling to hold herself together as she spoke.
I tried to make out pieces of her conversation, but frustration tightened in my chest when I realized I couldn’t understand the language she was speaking. Only one word caught my attention: “Bryan p>
Anger stirred at the sound of his name. My thoughts spun out of control. She’d insisted they were only friends, but if that was true, why was she crying to him over the phone? None of this made any sense.
I turned and started toward the living room, but her last words reached my ears before she ended the call.
“Yes, I’ll call. Thank you p>
Bah. “What a friend,” I muttered, imagining Bryan and wishing I could strangle him once and for all.
I decided I’d seen enough, so I slipped out silently and went to my study without anyone noticing. She was so absorbed in her call with Bryan that she didn’t even realize I’d been standing right behind her.
Not even when I left the house again.