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."

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