Chapter 16 - Sophia
She entered the federal conference room wearing plain jeans and a gray sweater.
Three years older.
Alive.
Marcus stood but couldn't move.
Sophia stopped ten feet away.
Neither spoke.
Then she said:
“I’m sorry.”
Marcus laughed once, broken.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
He covered face.
No romantic rush.
No cinematic kiss.
Too much between.
“You let me think you were dead.”
“I know.”
“You let your father destroy my life.”
“I didn't know how far he went at first.”
“You knew eventually.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you contact me?”
“Because every time I tried, someone around you got watched.”
“That's not answer.”
She swallowed.
“I was afraid you would choose me over safety.”
He stared.
“You decided for me.”
“Yes.”
There.
She owned.
No excuse.
“I thought protecting you meant removing your choice.”
Marcus looked away.
Same theme again.
Victor controlled from rage.
Sophia controlled from love.
Not equal harm.
But similar assumption.
Marcus said:
“I need time.”
Sophia nodded.
“You have it.”
Good.
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She did not reach for him.
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