The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 410

"Sophia, it's not that I think Mr. Holt isn't a good person." Samantha hesitated, trying to find the right words to express her concerns.

"Mom, I know what you mean." Sophia interrupted her. "You don't have to say it. I'll keep my distance from Zachary. We're just friends, and we'll only ever be friends."

Her words didn't reassure Samantha. Instead, they made her feel even more heartbroken.

Sophia should have had a good life. But it had all been ruined—because of Ivan, Julia, Ruby, Emma, Sky, and the true mastermind behind it all, Shane.

If not for them, Sophia could have grown up like any other woman—loved and cherished by her parents, safe and sound.

She could have met someone she loved, someone who loved her in return.

They would have fallen in love, gotten married, and built a warm and peaceful life together, growing old side by side.

But instead, here she was—lying in a hospital bed, scarred inside and out after enduring so much suffering.

"Mom, I'm well aware of my past. I won't long for things that don't belong to me. You don't have to worry about me."

Sophia reached out and held Samantha's hand. A mother knew her daughter best, but the same was true the other way around—she understood her mother just as well.

With everything she had been through, Samantha had feared that she would never find true love and happiness. That instead, she might fall into an even darker abyss.

She understood this and had never planned on looking for love again.

"Mom, don't worry about me. I have no desire for romance." Sophia hugged Samantha tightly. "For the rest of my life, I just want to live well with you."

"Natalie is giving me an opportunity to work, and I want to repay her for that.

"But she told me I should live for myself. Even though she's the one giving me this opportunity, I shouldn't treat it as a way to repay her. What I need to do is use this job to make myself better—to build a better life for both of us.

"She said, 'You weren't even afraid of death, so what else is there to fear?'

"I've already died once and have been reborn. From now on, I'll fear nothing. I'm not afraid to meet Sky. I'm not afraid to face Shane. And I'm certainly not afraid to face Emma.

"Mom, I'm not afraid. So you shouldn't be either. Okay? We both deserve a new beginning."

Hearing Sophia's words, Samantha's eyes turned red again.

There were so many things she wanted to say, but at this moment, she found herself speechless.

Sophia understood everything, but the price of that understanding had been far too high.

"Mom, I'm lucky because I met Natalie."

Sophia tightened her embrace. "So many people who have gone through what I have ended up with nowhere to turn. They were left with no way out except to end their own lives.

"But look, I'm still alive. And the ones who hurt me? They're all paying the price! Isn't that already good enough? So, don't be sad. Men are not necessary."

Samantha choked up. "But Sophia… I just want you to be happy."

"I know, and being with you makes me happy. Don't worry about me. As long as you're okay, I'm satisfied."

"Alright. We'll both be okay." Samantha stifled. "If you're going to meet Sky, then I'll go with you. I also plan to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Walker. They invited me over before, but I wasn't in this mood."

"Mom, they are kind and didn't cover up for Sky. Don't take your anger out on them."

"I know. I'm not unreasonable."

"Okay. Mom, I'm hungry. I want some stuffed rolls from Anderson's. Can you go buy them for me? I don't want a delivery. I want the ones you buy for me."

Samantha immediately understood the underlying message.

Sophia was trying to send her away so she could handle something on her own.

"Alright, I'll go."