Tristan was well aware of the situation of Sophie's parents. They didn't seem to care much about her.
“I think this is my own business, so there is no need to arrange a meeting with them.” Sophie knew very well what kind of people her parents were.
Besides, the only person who cared about her in the Tanner family was already gone.
“If your father still wants to meet us, I can make that happen,” said Tristan. This wasn't something difficult anyway.
As Yale was very satisfied with the Lombard family, it wouldn't take much effort to ask him out for a meal. In fact, he would be delighted to accept the invitation.
“But what about you? Are you okay with it?” Tristan continued. He figured Sophie wouldn't be attached to her parents since they were so biased.
“I'm fine with it. It's just basic formality,” Sophie replied. Since things had come to this point, they might as well set a date for the two families to have a meal together.
Hearing that, Tristan held Sophie's hand.
He felt bad for her, and he couldn't wrap his head around what was going on in her parents' minds.
How could they not love such a sweet and adorable daughter?
Sophie had scars that not even Tristan could heal, so he was heartbroken about what she had gone through before.
When Sophie saw the sad look in Tristan's eyes, she covered them.
“Don't look at me like that. I think I'm doing quite well now. Although my parents don't love me, there are lots of people around me who do.”
She had Barney, Arius, Ysabelle, and Butterfly.
Although they weren't her family, they treated her extremely well. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they were willing to give up their lives for her.
“Well, you're right. There are many people around you who love you. Besides, Old Mr. Tanner will also keep watching over you from above.”
“Yes.”
The two of them sat on the couch with Sophie leaning against Tristan. At that moment, she felt that she didn't need any sympathy. She was really, really happy.
Since they had to arrange a meeting between the two families, Sophie spared some time to return to the Tanner residence. A forlorn atmosphere now hung in the air there.
Willow had been sent to the psychiatric hospital, while Yale was out all the time. Only Charmaine was left in the huge mansion, and the housekeepers began lazing around.
However, Charmaine didn't feel like disciplining them. She decided to just let them be as she thought it had nothing to do with her.
Sophie drove to the Tanner residence alone that day.
The housekeepers were surprised to see Sophie, so one by one, they stood up and got to work.
Upon noticing that, Sophie narrowed her eyes.
Did the house turn into this state because Morgan is no longer around? Don't they feel awful, living in such an environment?
“Ms. Sophie, please have some water.” A housekeeper hurriedly poured Sophie a glass of water when she saw the latter sitting down on the couch. “Mrs. Tanner is still sleeping upstairs. Do you need me to wake her?”
“She's still sleeping?” Sophie echoed.
It's almost lunch time and she's still in bed?
“What did she do last night?” Sophie queried.
She did not drink the water the housekeeper served her. There was only one purpose for her visit today.
“We don't know what she's doing in her room,” the housekeeper admitted. As they were merely housekeepers, they did not dare to meddle in Charmaine's affairs, especially when she was so irritable recently.
“Okay, I got it.” Sophie got to her feet to check on Charmaine herself. When she reached the second floor and opened the door, she was greeted by the sight of the room in a complete mess.
As for Charmaine, she was injecting something into herself.
Sophie narrowed her eyes.
She could already guess what Charmaine was up to.
“Who let you in?” Charmaine snapped as she did not expect someone to enter the room at that time. Upon lifting her head, she was met with Sophie's frosty eyes. She immediately mocked, “Oh, Sophie! You're back! I thought you'd forgotten about this place.”
Our family is in this state because of her. How does she have the guts to come back?
“Are you injecting drugs right now?” Sophie questioned coldly.
“So you are still concerned about me? Sophie, you never really considered me your mother, do you? I begged you so desperately, yet you still wouldn't let Willow off. You're so heartless and cold-blooded.”
Even until now, Charmaine was indignant.
She went on, “I am injecting drugs. So what? The Tanner family is loaded. I am allowed to splurge like this! I feel elated right now.”
Charmaine felt contented to lose herself in this sensation every day.
She did not have to think of anything, and it made her realize why so many people wanted to do drugs. Apparently, it was possible for someone to feel so blissful.
Sophie shook her head.
I'm not the reason behind what happened to this family.
“I'll bring you to the rehabilitation center,” Sophie uttered. There was no point in arguing with Charmaine; all Sophie had to do was send the former to the rehabilitation center.
However, Charmaine voiced, “I'm not going! Sophie, I'm warning you that I have nothing to do with you. You have no business interfering with what I do.”
I'm doing really well now, and I'm happy with where I'm at. I don't want to go to the rehabilitation center!
“Charmaine Laird, are you out of your mind? Are you doing this because of Willow? She did so many horrible things, yet you still regard her so preciously?” Sophie raised her voice.
Charmaine retorted, “Yes! No matter what she did, she's still my daughter. On the contrary, you make me despise you no matter what you do!”
Sophie did not want to waste time listening to Charmaine's nonsense. It was exhausting even just hearing the latter's voice.
Without a second thought, Sophie dialed a number to ask someone to pick Charmaine up.
Seeing that, Charmaine lunged forward to snatch Sophie's phone. Sophie swiftly restrained her with one hand and told the person on the phone to come over.
While kneeling on the ground, Charmaine repeated, “Sophie, I said I'm doing very well now. Keep your nose out of my business!”
Despite Charmaine's objections, Sophie wouldn't let her have her way.
Twenty minutes later, the rehabilitation center's staff arrived and took Charmaine away.
Sophie stood there, feeling emotionally drained.
All this time, she had been compromising. It was Willow who went too far and landed everyone in such a situation.
Because of that, the Tanner family was completely broken.
If Grandpa sees this, he will be heartbroken.
At that moment, Sophie badly wanted to visit Josiah's grave and tell him about what had happened lately. She got moving right away and reached her destination in no time. Time ticked by as she stood there, and an hour passed before she knew it. “I'm sorry, Grandpa. I still disappointed you in the end. I didn't want things to end up this way, but they still did.”
For a while, Sophie didn't know how to explain to Josiah.
When Tristan noticed that Sophie did not return after a long time, he came to Josiah's grave out of worry. He had found out what transpired that day, and he felt deeply sorry for Sophie.
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