Chapter 83: An Unexpected Turn of Event
Sophie’s POV
The car slowed as we approached a massive wrought-iron gate. It swung open silently, revealing a drive that seemed to stretch on forever, lined with ancient oak trees and meticulously groomed gardens. At the end of this drive, gleaming white in the late afternoon sun, stood what could only be described as a mansion.
My breath caught in my throat. Not a house—an estate. A sprawling white structure that looked like it belonged on the cover of an architectural magazine, with columns and balconies and windows that glittered like diamonds in the sunlight.
"This is... yours?" I managed, my voice faint with disbelief.
My father nodded, watching my reaction carefully. "After I got clean, I started investing. First small things, then larger ones. I was good at it—maybe too good. The money came faster than I expected, and I kept thinking I’d use it to find you and Diane, to make amends."
The car pulled up to the grand entrance, where a line of staff waited—actual staff, in uniforms. I felt dizzy with the unreality of it all.
"All this time," I whispered, unable to tear my eyes from the mansion, "I thought you were dead. And you were... here? Living like this?"
A shadow crossed his face. "The house is just a house, Sophie. Empty rooms filled with expensive things. It was never a home without my family in it."
The driver opened the door, and my father stepped out, offering me his hand. In a daze, I took it, allowing him to help me from the car. The staff lined up before us bowed their heads respectfully.
"Welcome home, Miss Sophie," they said in unison.
Home. The word echoed in my mind, foreign and familiar all at once.