I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 81

The revelations left Sophie reeling.

If she had heard this two years ago, or even just one year ago, she knew she would have chosen to stand by Luke's side and face it together.

If he were a prince trapped in a castle by a fierce dragon, Sophie would have gladly been the maiden who picked up a sword, slashed through the thorns, slayed the beast, and rescued him.

She had never been a Cinderella waiting for a prince's salvation. From a very young age, she knew that whatever life she wanted, she had to build herself. That included love.

She never believed women had to be the ones waiting to be saved in a romance. For the man she loved, she could become a warrior.

But now, a single year had completely upended everything. Standing between her and Luke was not just Eileen, but Harold Harper.

That was the insurmountable divide. Harold was someone she absolutely refused to have any further connection with.

More importantly, there was Gavin. The moment she said yes to Gavin, she never intended to look back.

A year had washed her and Luke to opposite ends of time. Time wouldn't flow backward, and the two of them were destined to drift further apart.

"Sophie..."

Luke called her name, his voice laced with uncertainty.

Waiting for her answer was agonizing.

He remembered the countless times in the past when Sophie had tentatively questioned him, and he had chosen to play dumb, unable to give her a definitive answer.

He hadn't been blind to the fleeting disappointment in her eyes back then, but he was powerless. At the time, he couldn't drag himself out of the swamp he was sinking in, let alone give her the answers she desperately wanted.

Sophie finally looked up at him. Just like so many times before, her gaze was crystal clear, but the adoration and longing were completely gone.

"I've guessed a lot of reasons in the past, but I never expected this."

Sophie's voice was faint, as soft as a sigh.

Luke caught a flicker of pity in her eyes. Even though it vanished in an instant, a terrible sense of dread washed over him.

"Sophie..."

He tried to interrupt her. If he couldn't hear the answer he wanted, he would rather she lie to him. Lying to him would be fine—at least it wouldn't hurt so damn much.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I have nothing to do with you anymore, and your problems are no longer mine to bear."

"Seven years. In your eyes, is it all really just erased?" Luke refused to believe it.

"Don't come looking for me again. Not seeing each other is for the best. I don't want anything to do with you or the Harper family ever again."

Sophie grabbed her purse and stood up. As she took a step away, she looked back at him. "There's no need to say goodbye. Take care of yourself."

The message Luke interpreted was clear: no opposition meant tacit approval.

Forced love never lasted, and the older generation knew this deep down.

He had come to find Sophie this morning brimming with joy, thinking he could finally win her back.

But seeing Harold arguing with Sophie earlier had terrified him. He was afraid Harold had fallen for a younger woman, and even more terrified that Sophie would use Harold to exact revenge.

He only knew that if he didn't speak up now, it would be too late. Yet, even after laying it all bare, it was still too late.

Sophie stopped, slowly turning her head to look at him, her voice perfectly calm. "Yes. I don't love you anymore, and I don't resent you anymore, either."

A few months ago, she still harbored a deep hatred for the man standing in front of her. Her heart used to ache at the mere thought of him. But now, there was no hate and no love. Even the lingering bitterness had completely faded.

"Sophie..." Luke called out to her one last time.

This time, she didn't stop, nor did she look back. Walking straight toward Gavin right in front of Luke was the only answer she needed to give.

Luke reached out his hand, grasping nothing but empty air.

Sophie walked out with brisk steps. His story had indeed been unexpected, but it made logical sense. Knowing the truth was, in its own way, the final closure she needed.