Chapter 406 The Test
Moving day was a whirlwind for Sophia.
Gabriel bought the house, and now it was for their three kids, who were dragging her along to move in together.
If she didn't move, it'd be tough on the kids, and she couldn't stand the thought of being apart from them.
So, in the end, Sophia moved into Harbor Bay with the kids.
It was better to swallow her pride than be separated from them.
From now on, she'd hustle in her career to give her kids a better life.
When Gabriel saw the rent payment from Sophia, he was baffled.
He bought the villa for Sophia and gifted it to her. He only put it under the kids' names to make sure she'd accept it and move in with them.
Even though he wanted to live there, too, he knew Sophia wouldn't agree if he did.
Gabriel sighed and reluctantly accepted the rent from Sophia.
As long as it made her comfortable, he'd go along with whatever she wanted.
Putting down his phone and leaning back in his chair, Gabriel stared at the ceiling, his eyes filled with guilt.
He had hurt her deeply in the past, and he felt he deserved any resentment she had now.
'It's okay,' he thought, 'There's still time; I'll keep making amends.'
In the villa, the kids were helping Sophia unpack, and she told them stories from the past as they worked.
The layout of the villa hadn't changed; everything was just as she remembered.
"Grandma and Grandpa loved Mommy so much, and I love them, too," Emma said, hugging her teddy bear.
"I love Grandma and Grandpa, too," Ethan added.
Sam nodded in agreement, using sign language.
Sophia looked at her three children tenderly and thought, 'Dad, Mom, can you see this? My kids love you very much.'
Just then, Sophia's phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.
She hung up immediately.
The phone rang again, and she hung up once more.
After the third call, Sophia answered, annoyed.
"Hello," she said, her tone displeased.
"Hello, is this Sophie?"
An elderly, caring voice came through, sounding somewhat familiar.
Sophia froze for a moment, her mouth opening slightly. "Grandma."
"It's really you, Sophie. Why didn't you contact me if you were alive?"
Sophia didn't know what to say.
Facing Ella, she could argue back because Ella and Logan had never liked her and treated her as a pawn for the Brown family's interests, something to be traded away.
But facing Chloe, Sophia's feelings were complicated. Chloe had loved her, but she had also condoned Ella and Logan's actions.
"Sophie, I'm old and can't take much more. When you had the accident, I fell seriously ill. Since you're okay, come home."
Sophia gripped her phone tightly.
She had no desire to return to the Brown family.
After Ruth took her back to the Lancaster family, she had cut ties with the Browns.
Chloe had loved Sophia, but her greatest love was for Patricia, Ella, and Logan.
Growing up, Sophia had to give up anything Patricia wanted, including her engagement to Gabriel, which was originally an agreement between the Kelly and Lancaster families. But because Patricia also liked Gabriel, Chloe wanted Sophia to give it up.
At that time, Sophia loved Gabriel deeply and naturally didn't compromise.
"Grandma, have you forgotten? That's not my home anymore."
Sophia's words left Chloe silent for a moment. A sigh came through the phone.
"I know you hold a grudge, but it's been so many years. You're still connected to the Brown family by blood. How can you just cut ties? At least come back and let me see how you're doing."
"Wouldn't your mother also want to see you reconcile with us?"
Sophia felt a pang in her heart. Growing up, she hated visiting the Brown family because of how they treated her. But her mom always insisted, teaching her to respect Chloe and treat the Browns like family.
At first, she didn't get why her mom, who was also mistreated, didn't hold a grudge. Later, she realized her mom felt guilty towards Chloe. To make her mom happy, she endured it.
Sophia didn't want to say more. "I'm very busy. I'll talk to you when I have time."
Chloe sighed again, "Alright, remember to come home when you have time."
"Okay."
After hanging up, she felt a tug on her clothes. Sophia looked down to see her three kids' concerned eyes.
"Mommy, who was that on the phone? Why are you suddenly sad?"
Sophia squatted down and explained, "That was my grandma. I thought of my mom, so I felt sad."
"Don't be sad, Mommy. We're here with you," Emma said, hugging Sophia.
Ethan and Sam hugged her, too. Sophia felt warmth in her heart and hugged her three children back.
She had no intention of returning to the Brown family. Her mother had been tied to the Brown family her whole life, and she didn't want to repeat her mother's fate.
That evening, Sophia received a message from Jennifer.
Fusion Dynamics Corporation was preparing to move back to the States, and Jennifer asked her to check on the renovation progress of the Blackwood family estate.
Sophia readily agreed.
Jennifer: [Sophie, there's one more thing.]
Sophia: [Go ahead.]
Jennifer: [Fusion Dynamics Corporation hasn't chosen a location yet. We're too busy to return to the States right now. Can you help us find a suitable location?]
It was a significant task, but Sophia was happy to take it on.
Sophia: [Sure, no problem!]
Jennifer sent a heart emoji.
Celeste, watching from the side, asked, "Are you testing Sophie by asking her to choose a location?"
Jennifer smirked and said, "I really can't hide anything from you."
Celeste squinted and smiled. "That's good. If she passes the test, we should invest more in her development."
"Grandma, Aunt Jennifer," Patricia said, coming out of the kitchen with a plate of fruit. She smiled playfully. "What are you talking about that's so happy? Let me in on it."
Patricia cozied up to Celeste.
Celeste patted her hand gently. "We were talking about Jennifer's goddaughter. She's very capable. When we return to the States, you should learn from her."
Patricia replied, "I will definitely learn from her, Grandma. Just don't think I'm too dumb."
"How could I ever think my sweetheart is dumb?"
Patricia leaned against Celeste, smiling happily, but inside, she was worried and scared.
She thought, 'Sophia isn't dead. When they return to the States, if the Blackwood family meets Sophia, will they recognize her?'
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