Chapter 25
Chapter 25:
Her tone softened just a little as she reached across the table and held Sophie’s hand. “They only knew my face. If I had stayed, they would’ve come straight for you. That’s why I left you with your uncle. I knew at least you’d have a roof over your head and food on the table p>
Sophie’s mind reeled. When she was little, she would sometimes ask why she didn’t have a dad like the other kids. Her mother would only pat her head and smile without saying a word.
She had grown up believing she was just fatherless, never imagining that the truth was uglier—that her father was a burden she had been spared.
Her throat tightened. “So you left… to keep me safe p>
Zola gave her a reassuring smile, stroking her hand. “All these years I’ve been on the run, working whatever jobs I could find. I’ve finally paid off every cent of that debt. Only now do I have the courage to face you again p>
She lifted her eyes, studying Sophie nervously. “I was terrified that you’d hate me, that you wouldn’t forgive me p>
The pieces slid into place in Sophie’s mind. No wonder Michelle had her mother’s number. Everyone else had known she was alive and kept it from her.
Tears streamed freely down her face as she shook her head over and over. “I never blamed you. Not once p>
They ended up sitting at the dining table for what felt like hours, just talking.
𝗗𝗈𝗐𝘯l𝗈а𝖽𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘗𝘋𝗙𝘴 𝘰n 𝗴а𝗅ոov𝗲𝗅ѕ.𝗰𝗼m
Sophie told her mom about her life—the scholarship she earned, the job at the jewelry company, and how she met Adrian and built a home with him. She skimmed over the rough patches, painting only the sunshine for her mother to see.
Whenever the talk turned toward Zola, though, her answers stayed vague. Sophie noticed but didn’t pry. She figured her mom just didn’t want to reopen old wounds, and she respected that.
Still, she couldn’t ignore the way Zola avoided her eyes, or the rough calluses on her hands. They made her heart ache.
As dusk fell, Zola glanced outside and pushed back her chair. “It’s late. I should head out p>
Sophie jumped up with her. “Mom, stay the night. Please.” She knew it might be tricky with Adrian around, but surely they could come up with something.
“I have a place,” Zola replied firmly. Then, after a pause, she softened her tone. “But don’t worry. I’ll visit often p>
She dug into her handbag and pulled out a small pack. “Here, cookies I baked myself. Have them later p>
The gesture made Sophie’s throat tighten all over again. She had always envied her coworkers when they bragged about their mothers sending homemade snacks. Now, at long last, she had her own little packet of cookies, warm from her mother’s hands.
“I’ll walk you out,” Sophie said quickly, forcing herself to hold back tears as she hailed a cab for Zola.
But the second the car door shut, the softness on Zola’s face melted away.
She pulled makeup wipes from her bag and scrubbed off the fake wrinkles and shadows she had painted on earlier. With her face smooth and sharp again, she took out her phone and dialed a number. “I met her,” she said flatly, her tone completely different now.