I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 10

Out of options, Sophie had to stand outside the low iron gate, trying to coax a crying Mia while awkwardly waiting for her mother.

A tall man in a crisp light-blue dress shirt and khaki slacks came striding toward the entrance. The sobbing little girl immediately shrieked, "Daddy!" and launched herself into his arms.

Sophie waited for the two to finish their desperate hug before stepping forward. "Mr. Jenkins, I'm incredibly sorry. I'm Sarah's daughter. Her other client had a medical emergency, and she's stuck at the hospital. She asked me to step in..."

Before Sophie could finish her sentence, Sarah came sprinting up the sidewalk, panting and apologizing profusely.

Jason picked Mia up and took a steadying breath, trying to keep his voice level. "Sarah, if this happens again, please call me sooner."

Sarah shrank back, stammering out another string of apologies.

Watching her mother apologize so subserviently hit a nerve. Sophie's tone sharpened defensively.

"It was an emergency. My mother didn't plan it. She called you the second she could and sent me here immediately to make sure your daughter wasn't alone."

Sarah tugged frantically at Sophie's sleeve, signaling her to shut up.

"Please don't yell at my daddy."

Mia's lip quivered, looking like she was about to burst into tears all over again.

Sophie instantly threw her hands up in surrender. "I'm not yelling, sweetheart. I'm sorry, I just used my stressful voice."

"Thank you, Ms. Sophie."

Mia uncurled her tiny fist to reveal a small bunny keychain.

It was a charm Sophie had unclipped from her own purse to distract the crying girl through the gate earlier.

"You can keep it. It's a gift."

"Really?" Mia held the little bunny like it was made of solid gold, her eyes shining. She looked up at her dad, waiting for permission.

Jason glanced at the keychain. It wasn't overly expensive, and his daughter clearly adored it. He looked back at Sophie, realizing she was genuinely trying to help, and gave a stiff nod.

Softening his stance after accepting the olive branch, Jason cleared his throat. "Ms. Sarah, I apologize. I was panicked and took it out on you. Let me buy you both dinner to make up for it."

Hearing they were going out for food, Mia cheered and immediately demanded pizza.

Back at the apartment, Sophie finally asked the question that had been bugging her. "Isn't it unusual for a guy like that to have full custody? It seems really tough for him to manage."

"I don't know the whole story. I only started working for him last summer," Sarah explained as she wiped down the counter. "Mia's mom is stunning, but man, she has a temper. They fought constantly. She always complained that Mr. Jenkins worked too much and wasn't romantic enough. She stormed out a few times. Around New Year's, something massive went down, and they had a blowout. I haven't seen her since February. He bounced around a few caregiver agencies but couldn't find a reliable full-time nanny, so he asked me to cover the daycare runs."

Sarah sighed heavily. "Honestly, what kind of mother does that? Leaving without making sure her kid is secure, without even lining up childcare? How could she abandon her own daughter like that?"

Sophie suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of gratitude. No matter how destitute or desperate things got, her mother had never once considered abandoning her.

"Mom... thank you."

Sarah froze, dish towel in hand. "For what? Don't be silly."

Sophie leaned her head against her mother's shoulder.

For what? For giving her life. For breaking her back to raise her, paying for her education, and always being the harbor she could drag her broken heart back to.

Sophie didn't say the words out loud.

For twenty-nine years, her mother had protected her. From now on, she was going to be the one protecting her mother.