Chapter 327

The connection between Sophia and the Thornton family had always been a wound she kept hidden, never wishing to expose it.

Yet there was nothing shameful about it.

She didn’t accompany Alexander to the café. Instead, she stood on the bustling main road outside the company where she had just applied and briefly explained her history with the Thorntons.

She didn’t want to waste time—she needed to return home quickly to see what Lily had done at the Blackwood estate.

"Before I turned twelve, I lived in a small rural county. My parents were greenhouse farmers. During the off-season, my father worked odd jobs at a freight yard.

When I was ten, a cargo collapse killed him. That year, my mother fell ill and never fully recovered.

She was frail after that.

I did well in school, and she refused to let me drop out. Two years later, she brought me to Harborview City.

It was my first time in a metropolis.

I never understood our ties to the Thorntons. My mother never explained. She only took me to Benjamin’s home, begging him and Elizabeth to take me in so I could continue my education.

Benjamin was reluctant. Elizabeth even more so. But for some reason, they agreed. From then on, I lived under their roof.

My mother visited every six months.

But she never stepped foot inside the Thornton estate. She’d meet me at school, hand me some money, and leave.

During breaks, I returned to the countryside to help her sell vegetables. We were poor, but happy.

I asked her once about the Thorntons. She never answered.

This cycle continued from sixth grade until my second year of university.

Then her health worsened. Her visits became scarce. When tuition fees rose, Elizabeth’s resentment toward me grew.

Benjamin often looked at me with disdain.

I asked my mother—if they hate me so much, why keep me?

She wept and said, ‘Sophia, I don’t want you stuck in greenhouses forever. Endure a few more years. Once you graduate, you’ll be free. You’ll never have to suffer like your father did.’

So I endured their contempt.

Until my sophomore year, when I was imprisoned for manslaughter."

Sophia’s tone was detached, as if recounting someone else’s tragedy. Even her time in prison was mentioned without emotion.

But Alexander’s chest ached as he listened. His voice was rough when he asked, "You still don’t know the truth about your parents and the Thorntons?"

Sophia shook her head. Her voice dimmed. "I wanted to ask my mother after my release. But she died three days before I got out."

Alexander was silent.

He didn’t know how to comfort her. The sky darkened suddenly, as if mourning with them.

Raindrops fell, heavy and fast.

Sophia instinctively raised her hands to shield her head. Alexander pulled her back into the building’s lobby.

Once inside, he called his assistant. "Ava, bring the documents down."

Sophia blinked. Hadn’t he planned to go upstairs?

Moments later, a polished woman in heels arrived. Alexander handed her the files. "Tell Mr. Blackwood I won’t be joining him. Something came up."

The woman smiled. "Of course, Mr. Kensington."

Then Alexander turned to Sophia. "Where are you headed? I’ll drive you."

Sophia hesitated. "I can manage on my own."

Alexander smirked. "Afraid of Ethan?"

"...He treats me well."

"Then what’s the worry?"

Sophia exhaled.

Lily’s earlier call had unsettled her. She needed to ensure her daughter hadn’t caused trouble at the Blackwood estate. If there was trouble, she’d shield Lily first.

So she relented. "Thank you, Alexander."

His smile softened. He was relieved she accepted. After all, he’d misjudged her six years ago. Then he’d watched her risk her life to save Liam.

Hadn’t he been moved too?

As they drove, Alexander broached a delicate subject. "Noah…"

Sophia stiffened.

Noah was her deepest pain. She didn’t even know which country Ethan had exiled him to.

"I don’t know where he is," she murmured.

"I’ll find out. When I do, you’ll be the first to know."

"Thank you."

"Your daughter—"

"She’s fine." Sophia stared out the window, her answers clipped.

Alexander didn’t press further.

She was as guarded as she’d been six years ago—wary, withdrawn, wrapped in layers of self-protection.

The car reached Ethan’s residence as the rain tapered off.

Before Sophia stepped out, Alexander handed her a business card. His voice was gentle. "Sophia, I’ll never forgive myself for refusing you that loan. That guilt will haunt me forever."