Sierra exited her chat with Maggie and called Sophia.


    "Hey, Sophia. Are you twoing back soon? I want to take you out for dinner."


    "We''re out shopping," Sophia replied. "Zachary and I are buying school and daily supplies for a few girls we''re sponsoring."


    She and Zachary were browsing through stationery. Sophia had decided to sponsor Lte and the other two girls, providing them with a monthly allowance, clothing, school, and daily supplies.


    Whether those girls would be grateful or turn out ungrateful in the future, she didn''t know. She just wanted to do what was right in the present.


    Zachary had said that a pound of help often turned into a burden of resentment. Human nature was fickle, hard to predict, and easily swayed. Finding a truly appreciative child was rare.


    Lte and the other two girls were grateful now, freshly freed from their shackles. But once they spent more time outside and experienced more of the world, who could say if that gratitude wouldst?


    People were like that. Before they received something, they always wondered what they would do if they got it. But once it was in their hands, it was never enough.


    That was why Zachary had insisted that they be clear from the start and had the girls sign a contract.


    Their sponsorship wasn''t unconditional. In return, the girls had to maintain good grades in school. If they failed to perform or acted out, the support would end.


    They would be sent back to Coalmarsh or left to fend for themselves.


    The girls signed without hesitation, promising again and again not to disappoint them.


    Sophia didn''t object to Zachary''s approach. After all, Samuel had been the perfect cautionary tale.


    Even though he and Sierra had lived abroad for years, Samantha had never stopped supporting them financially.


    Sierra turned out okay. However, Samuel had turned into an ungrateful backstabber.


    "Cee, do you want toe shop with us?" Sophia asked. "We''ll grab ate-night snack afterward."


    She dropped a pink notebook into the cart and added three more boxes of pens.


    "Sure. Send me the address. I''ll head over now."


    "Alright."


    Sophia hung up and sent Sierra the location.


    Sierra texted back, told her parents at home she was heading out, grabbed her bag, and left.


    Sophia and Zachary finished shopping but didn''t leave right away. They waited at the entrance of the store for Sierra.


    "Sophia, want a smoothie?" Zachary asked, ncing at the girls around them, most of whom had one in hand. His voice was gentle.


    Sophia nodded. "Yes, please."


    "Wait here. I''ll go get it."


    Zachary headed to the smoothie stand while Sophia quietly stood in ce, watching him.


    There was a bit of a line, but she didn''t mind. Her gaze stayed fixed on him.


    Zachary wore a white T-shirt, jeans, and a pair of sneakers. His clean, short hair made him look fresh and neat as he waited in line.


    Every so often, he looked back to make sure Sophia was still waiting where he left her.


    Each time he caught her gaze, he smiled, and she would smile back.


    After one exchange of smiles, he kept his warm gaze on her.


    Sophia was the first to grow shy. She lowered her head, choosing to stare at her toes instead.


    Zachary caught her reaction and couldn''t help but smile a little wider.


    It took a while, but he finally got their smoothies.


    Just as he turned around with them, Sierra arrived.


    "Hey, Sophia."


    "Hi, Cee."


    They greeted each other with a hug.


    Sierra asked, "Sophia, you and Mr. Holt followed Natalie and Marcus to do charity work. What was the ce like? And the girls you mentioned are they doing well?"


    "So far, yes. They seem like good kids. But it''s hard to say what the future holds," Sophia said. "That''s why Zachary had them sign a contract. We don''t want to raise another freeloader.


    "Zachary used to be a therapist. He always thinks things through more thoroughly than I do."


    "Sophia, when are you getting married?" Sierra asked suddenly. "Mr. Holt looks at you with so much love in his eyes. "Has he proposed yet?"


    "Now''s not really the time for that!" Sophia''s cheeks turned pink, and she felt the heat rising uncontrobly.


    "Sophia, are you still scared?" Sierra pulled her to sit on a nearby bench. At that exact moment, Zachary returned, holding three smoothies.


    "Ms. Remington, this one''s for you."


    Zachary handed one to Sierra, then inserted a straw into the next and passed it to Sophia.


    "Thanks," Sophia said, taking it without daring to meet his eyes.


    Zachary chuckled softly. "What were you two talking about? Sophia''s face is so red."


    Sierra sipped her smoothie. "Sophia, can I tell him?"


    "No," Sophia answered immediately, shaking her head.


    "That''s too bad. Sophia won''t let me say," Sierra said yfully. The smoothie was sweet and instantly lifted her mood.


    The sourness left by Samuel began to fade.


    "If Sophia doesn''t want me to say, then I won''t."


    "Don''t you dare," Sophia muttered, patting her cheeks in an effort to calm down.


    She didn''t know what the future held for her and Zachary. She didn''t even know if his parents would ever truly ept her.


    Still, dating Zachary felt good. It was light and easy.


    If he really brought her to meet his parents, however, she would be scared witless.


    Though rumors of her past had mostly died down, everyone was well aware of what happened.<fnb0d5> For more chapters visit f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fnb0d5>


    Zachary reached out and gently ruffled Sophia''s hair, his smile warm and affectionate.


    "I''ll put the stuff in the car. Do you two want to walk around a bit?"


    "Yes." Sophia didn''t even lift her head as she reached out and grabbed Sierra''s hand.


    "Zachary, once you''re done,e find us. We''ll just be walking around here."


    "Alright."


    Zachary nodded and turned toward the parking lot, carrying the bags.


    As he walked away, Sophia let out a long breath. "Sierra, I don''t know if I''m capable of being happy.


    "I''ve been through so much and was assaulted. I even got pregnant with that scumbag''s child. Even though I had the abortion, the wound inside me is still there. If it reallyes to marriage...


    "It took so much courage just to be with Zachary, but even now, I don''t dare meet his parents."


    "Has Zachary ever invited you to his home? Has he tried to introduce you to his parents?" Sierra asked.


    Sophia nodded. "Yes, he has. But I was scared, so I turned him down. I asked him to give me more time."


    Sierra held her smoothie and thought for a moment.


    "Sophia, have you considered that what happened to you wasn''t some small


    thing? Zachary''s parents might already know.


    "If Zachary has stayed by your side this whole time, protected you, and helped


    you out of that darkness-maybe his parents know everything. And maybe, they support him anyway."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!