Sophia''s cheeks slowly turned red. She now fully understood what Sierra had whispered to the sales associate.


    "Sophia, what do you think of these? Pick a few. And grab some sleepwear too. They''re my treat," Sierra said as she reached for one particrly daring piece. There was little more than a few straps and nearly transparent fabric in the front. Without hesitation, Sophia snatched it from her hand and shoved it back onto the rack. She then tugged Sierra around and started walking away.


    "Sierra, how could you?" Sophia''s face was burning now. She couldn''t believe someone as proper as Sierra had brought her to shop for this kind of lingerie, let alone nned to buy it for her.


    "I''m not even married to Zachary yet. Who am I supposed to wear it for?"


    "You don''t have to be married to enjoy things like this," Sierra said, pulling her back toward the racks. "You and Zachary are a couple. Are you telling me you''ve only held hands, hugged, and nothing more?"


    "We''ve kissed," Sophia admitted, her face flushing deeper. They had kissed-but that was about it. Nothing went beyond that.


    Zachary had always respected her, careful not to cross any lines, never pressuring her.


    He was waiting for her to fully let go of the past and embrace a future with him.


    "Sophia, you can''t hide forever," Sierra said gently, leading her toward the sleepwear section. "Even if it''s not for Zachary, you can still wear something beautiful for yourself.


    "You''re wonderful. That doesn''t change because of what happened to you."


    "But-"


    "No buts," Sierra cut her off. "I married and divorced Samuel. If I date again, I won''t let the fact that I''ve been married or that I''ve slept with someone make me feel broken or unworthy.


    "Honestly, how many men these days haven''t dated someone before? How many are truly pure and innocent?


    "We all have our own stories. Those stories don''t define us. They''re not standards by which anyone gets to judge us.


    "All you need to remember is that we''re worthy. We don''t need to diminish ourselves just because of someone else''s harm."


    Sophia looked at her, stunned. "Cee, is that really true?"


    Sierra nodded. "When we were kids, Samantha and Samuel called me Sierra. But you were the only one who always called me Cee.


    "Everyone calls you Sophia, and I do too. But to me, you''ve always been different. So don''t ever think your past makes you unworthy of someone like Zachary.


    "Even if Zachary weren''t in your life, I believe you''d still meet someone who cherishes you deeply because you''re worth loving.


    "Sophia, be brave. Life''s a long journey. We may have taken a wrong turn, but that doesn''t mean we became bad people."


    Sophia''s eyes turned red. She turned away, not wanting Sierra to see her tears. She often changed how she called Sierra depending on whatever felt natural in the moment. She never thought Sierra had noticed or cared.


    But tonight, Sierra''s words had hit home. Every single one.


    After a while, Sophia finallyposed herself. She turned back and said sincerely, "Cee, thank you."


    "Sophia, we''re family. We''ve been through so much together. There''s no need to be so formal with me.


    "When I told you I was divorcing Samuel, you supported me. You never said I''d lose value because of it.


    "There are people who think women in a second marriage are worth less. But I don''t believe that marriage determines my worth. Even if I marry and divorce ten times, I''m still priceless. Don''t you think so?"


    With reddened eyes, Sophia nodded. "Yes, Cee. You''re forever priceless."


    "And so are you, Sophia." Sierra smiled.


    "I understand what you''re saying now." Sophia took a deep breath. "But I don''t need to buy these. What''s been holding me back has always been the barrier in my own heart. Once I ovee that, I''ll be fine, Cee."


    "Good." They smiled at each other again. In the end, Sophia picked a fewfortable, modest bras and pajamas. They paid and stepped out of the store.


    "Sophia, I''m going to head off. You and Zachary should enjoy your evening. I don''t want to be a third wheel," Sierra teased with a smile.


    "Also, send me Sky''s number. I''d like to meet with him."


    "You want to talk to Sky?" Sophia asked, a little surprised. "He seems to have turned over a new leaf since getting out, but I can''t tell if it''s real or an act."


    "Rx. I just want to talk about Samuel," Sierra said with a small smile. "You''re not seriously thinking I''d get involved with him, are you?"


    "I didn''t say that," Sophia replied with a helplessugh. "Alright, I''ll pass along his number. If you''re meeting him, make sure you bring someone with you. Don''t go alone."


    "Alright."


    They waved goodbye at the door. Only when Sierra watched Sophia and Zachary walk away did she turn and dial Sky''s number.


    It rang for a moment before he picked up. "Hello? Who''s this?"


    "Mr. Walker, this is Sierra Remington."


    "Ms. Remington?" Sky sounded surprised. "What can I do for you?"


    "Let''s talk in person," Sierra said, her voice light but firm. "There''s something I believe you''ll be interested in.


    "Do you have time tonight? It''s my treat, so let''s talk over supper."


    There was a brief pause before Sky answered, "Alright. You name the ce, and I''lle over."


    Sierra nced around her surroundings. "Velvet Swan, Dithoria Central Commercial Tower One."


    "Got it. I''m on my way."


    After hanging up, Sierra headed straight to the restaurant. She chose a window seat and didn''t order right away, telling the waiter she was waiting for someone.


    Once the waiter left, she pulled out her phone and started browsing property listings in Dithoria.


    Jonathan had once been a very wealthy man in Amberton. That was why the Remington family''s so-called rtives had always tried to take advantage of him and Melissa.


    Now that their lost daughter had been found, those rtives couldn''t get anything more from the Remingtons. As a result, they had started harboring malicious intent.


    That was why Jonathan had used the excuse of attending Marcus and Natalie''s wedding in Dithoria to quietly sell off the Remington family''s assets in Amberton.


    And every cent from those sales had been ced under Sierra''s and Melissa''s names.<fn3df4> The source of th?s content is findnovel</fn3df4>