Back to the Past

**Sophia's POV (formerly Charlotte)**

The soft morning light illuminated the sky as the plane gently touched down on the runway. The roar of the engines subsided as the plane slowed down, and I felt my heart beat faster, a mixture of anxiety and determination pulsing within me. Returning to the place I once called home wasn’t something I had planned, but it was necessary. There were issues that needed to be resolved, doors that needed to be closed so that I could move forward without looking back.

As the plane taxied to the gate, I looked at my children, now three years old, sitting beside me. They were calm, distracted by the toys we brought to keep them entertained during the flight. They were the picture of innocence, unaware of the weight of the past we were about to face. In their little faces, I saw the reason for all my struggles, all the sacrifices. They were my world, and everything I had done, every difficult decision, had been for them.

“Are we here, Mommy?” one of them asked, with curious, bright eyes that reminded me of their father.

“Yes, my love,” I replied softly, trying to hide any trace of nervousness in my voice. “We’re here. We’ll be fine.”

In the past three years, my life had changed completely. I had left Charlotte Anderson behind and transformed into Sophia Carson. A new identity, a new appearance, a new life. I was no longer the frightened, vulnerable woman who had fled with her children in her arms. Now, I was a successful businesswoman, recognized in the fashion world for my vision and talent. My clothing line had become a luxury brand, and with that came the wealth and security I never thought I’d have.

But the transformation wasn’t just professional. Physically, I was almost unrecognizable. My hair, once golden blonde, was now an elegant dark brown, cut in a modern style that reflected the new woman I had become. My posture was confident, and my clothes, designer pieces that I had designed myself, showed the world that I was someone who had achieved everything through hard work. There was nothing left of the Charlotte that Richard had known. Now, I was Sophia, a strong woman who wouldn’t let the past dictate her future.

As I stood up to retrieve our carry-on bags, a chill ran down my spine. I knew this return was risky. Richard could still be looking for me, and the mere thought of crossing paths with him made my stomach churn. But I couldn’t live in hiding anymore. There were unresolved issues that needed to be addressed, and I was determined to face them head-on.

Going through customs was quick, and soon we were in the airport lobby. My children held my hands as I looked around, my eyes quickly scanning the environment for any sign of danger. But everything seemed normal, like any other day in a busy airport. People came and went, paying no attention to the elegant woman with two children by her side.

“Come on, boys,” I said with an encouraging smile. “Let’s get our things and head to the hotel.”

We walked to the baggage claim area, and while we waited for our luggage, I took a moment to breathe deeply and compose myself. It wasn’t easy to be back, but I knew it had to be done. This wasn’t just a visit; it was a mission to finally cut the ties with the past.

The luggage arrived quickly, and soon we were in a taxi, on our way to the hotel where we would be staying. During the ride, I looked out the window, watching the familiar streets go by, now with a touch of nostalgia mixed with a certain bitterness. I had left this city under desperate circumstances, and now I was returning as a completely different woman, ready to face whatever was necessary.

When we arrived at the hotel, I was greeted with the kind of treatment I had grown accustomed to—respect and admiration. The doorman held the door for us, and the concierge was helpful, ensuring everything was ready for our stay. A spacious suite awaited us, tastefully decorated and luxurious, a reflection of the new life I had built.

After settling the children in the room, where they immediately began to play, I asked the concierge to call the babysitter I had arranged in advance. She arrived shortly after, a friendly and professional young woman who introduced herself and began interacting warmly with the boys. Seeing my children laugh with the new babysitter brought me a sense of peace, knowing they would be well cared for while I dealt with what needed to be done.

I left clear instructions and made sure the children were comfortable before leaving the room. With them in good hands, I could finally focus on the reason I was here.

I sat in the armchair by the window, looking out at the city. The hotel was located in one of the highest points of the city, and from there, I could see the mansion that was once my prison. The sight brought a flood of memories, but instead of pain, I felt a renewed strength. I was no longer the woman who had been held captive there. Now, I was free.

I took a long sip of water, trying to calm my thoughts. This trip wasn’t just a chance to resolve practical matters; it was an opportunity to close a chapter of my life. There was much to be done, and I needed to be prepared for any eventuality.

The phone in the room rang, interrupting my thoughts. I answered quickly, and the polite voice of the concierge informed me that my lawyer had arrived and was waiting for me in the lobby. It was time to begin.

“Take care, boys,” I said, kissing each of them on the forehead before getting up and grabbing my bag. “Mommy needs to take care of some things.”

As I left the room and walked towards the elevator, I felt a wave of determination wash over me. This was the beginning of the end for the past that haunted me. I was here to face whatever came, and this time, there would be no more running.

The elevator descended smoothly to the lobby, where my lawyer was waiting, his attentive and professional gaze meeting mine. “Ready, Sophia?” he asked with an encouraging smile.

“More than ever,” I replied, feeling the confidence grow within me. “Let’s close this chapter once and for all.”

As we left the hotel, I mentally prepared myself for what was to come. This was my chance to finally free myself, to ensure that Richard and the past stayed where they belonged—far away, forever. And I was determined to do whatever it took to make that happen.

The lawyer, an experienced man with a soft voice, began explaining the details as we walked to the car waiting for us outside. “Everything is ready for the divorce process,” he said, handing me a folder with documents. “You just need to sign these pages, and we can move forward with the filing. Since you haven’t been present for the past few years, there are some formalities to be completed, but nothing we can’t resolve quickly.”

I nodded as he continued to speak, my mind absorbing every detail. The divorce was a crucial step in ensuring that I could move on without any legal ties to Richard. It was more than a formality; it was a symbolic act of freedom. Signing those papers meant finally closing that painful chapter of my life.

“Richard doesn’t know you’re here yet,” the lawyer continued cautiously. “But we need to be prepared for any reaction from him. He has resources, and there’s always the risk that he’ll try to contest the divorce or complicate the process.”

“I know,” I replied, my voice firm. “But I won’t let him control me anymore. This time, I’m in charge.”

The lawyer nodded, seemingly satisfied with my determination. “Good. We’ll act quickly. The less time this takes, the better for you and the children. Once the divorce is finalized, you’ll be officially free of any obligation or connection to Richard.”

Those words gave me a sense of relief I hadn’t felt in a long time. Officially free. That was exactly what I needed to hear. Three years of fear, uncertainty, and constant running were about to end. I was just a few steps away from fully reclaiming my life, from ensuring that my children had a safe future, far from the shadows of the past.

As the car moved through the city streets, I watched the buildings pass by quickly, each one carrying a memory of what had been left behind. But instead of feeling trapped by those memories, I felt a sense of detachment. I was different, transformed by the experience and the strength I had found within myself. What once caused me pain now only fueled my determination.

When we arrived at the lawyer’s office, he led me to his room, where the documents were already arranged on the table. I sat down, picked up the pen, and with a deep breath, began signing each page. Each signature was a step closer to freedom, a final blow to the chains Richard had placed on me.

After signing the last document, I handed the pen to the lawyer and leaned back in the chair, feeling a massive weight lifted off my shoulders.

“Done,” he said with an encouraging smile. “Everything is in motion now. Soon, you’ll be completely free to live your life.”

“Thank you,” I replied, a wave of relief finally washing over me. “This means more to me than you can imagine.”

As I left the office, a new sense of purpose took hold of me. I was almost there, almost free. And this time, nothing would stop me.