Page 111 of Rescuing Sophia

We set off down the hallway, Luke’s small hand in mine. His excitement is contagious, and I get caught up in his childlike wonder. We rummage through supply closets, finding colored pencils, paper, and even a battered old box of building blocks.

Luke and I are lost in a world of imagination for the next hour. We build towering skyscrapers out of blocks, draw fantastic creatures with too many eyes and not enough legs, and create elaborate stories about superhero squirrels saving the day.

Luke’s laughter fills the room. It’s a sound I never knew I needed to hear, and it stirs something profound within me. I’ve never given much thought to having kids of my own, but watching Luke’s face light up as he shows me his latest creation makes me think thatmaybe, someday, it might not be such a bad idea. Luke’s energy starts to fade. His words become punctuated with yawns, and his eyelids grow heavy.

“How about we take a little rest, buddy?”

Luke nods sleepily, crawling onto the cot. To my surprise, he curls up against me, his tiny body warm and trusting. Within minutes, his breathing evens out, and he’s fast asleep.

I sit there, hardly daring to move, marveling at the strange turn my life has taken. Just days ago, I was a Guardian focused solely on the mission. Now, I’m cradling a sleeping child, my heart full of emotions I can’t quite name.

The minutes pass, marked only by Luke’s steady breathing and the fading light outside the window. I’m lost in thought when soft footsteps approach.

Sophia appears in the doorway, exhaustion etched on her face. Her eyes soften as she takes in the scene before her. A soft smile plays on her lips as she takes in the sight of Luke and me surrounded by our creations.

“Looks like you two have been busy,” she says, her voice warm.

Luke stirs, then jumps up when he sees his mother. He runs to show her his drawings. “Mommy, look. I drew our new home.”

As Sophia kneels to admire Luke’s artwork, our eyes meet over his head. So much is left unsaid between us, so many questions and complications. But for now, in this moment, there’s a fragile peace.

“Thank you,” Sophia mouths silently to me.

I nod, offering a small smile in return. “Anytime.” A lump forms in my throat, and getting my words out is challenging. “Sophia, I…”

“We have a lot to talk about, I know.” She cuts me off gently. “But can it wait until tomorrow? I’m exhausted, and?—”

“Of course.” I carefully shift Luke so I can stand. “Get some rest. We’ll talk when you’re ready.”

Despite everything, my feelings for her haven’t changed. They’re complicated now, tangled up with hurt, betrayal, and uncertainty, but they’re still there.

With a deep sigh, I clean up the scattered toys and papers.Tomorrow will come soon enough, bringing the next chapter in our ongoing struggle against Malfor and his sinister plans.

I head to my quarters, a small bachelor pad outside Guardian HQ, a space I’ve barely thought about in weeks. As I unlock the door, the familiar scent of my apartment hits me—a mix of old books and a faint trace of coffee.

Everything is exactly as I left it, almost eerily so. The bed is made with military precision. The dishes are in the rack by the sink. Not a thing is out of place.

I run my hand over the smooth countertop, realizing with a start that it’s been weeks since I’ve slept in my bed. The thought of crawling under those cool sheets alone fills me with profound loneliness. I’ve gotten used to Sophia’s warmth beside me.

Memories of our time together flood my mind. The curve of her smile in the dim light, the feeling of her skin against mine, the way she whispers my name in the dark. My body responds to these thoughts, a familiar tension building.

I shake my head, trying to clear it, but the physical reminders of our intimacy persist. Our exploration of each other, both tender and passionate, the roles we’d played, the trust we’d built—it all seems so distant now, yet my body remembers every touch and every kiss.

Sighing, I strip off my clothes and step into the shower. The hot water cascades over me, but it does little to wash away the ache of desire and loneliness.

Under the steady stream, I allow myself a moment of release, Sophia’s name on my lips, as the tension within me finally ebbs.

Afterward, I fall into bed, my body heavy with exhaustion. The sheets are cool against my skin, a poor substitute for the warmth I’ve grown accustomed to.

The soft click of my bedside lamp signals the end of one of the longest days of my life. As I lay my head on the pillow, my last thoughts are of Sophia’s smile and Luke’s laughter.

What will happen between us? Can we rebuild what we had, or has too much changed to salvage what we once had?

THIRTY-NINE

Sophia

The familiar scentof freshly ground coffee beans envelops me as I work behind the counter at The Guardian Grind. It’s been weeks since I’ve returned to work, and the routine feels both comforting and strange. My hands move automatically, preparing drinks I could make in my sleep while my mind wanders to other things.

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