Part 13
Three weeks later, Sofia made her decision about where she wanted to go.
She chose London, a city far enough away to offer a complete reset, yet vibrant enough to keep her mind active.
She had been accepted into a prestigious interior design certification program.
It was a passion she had abandoned when Carmen began dominating her life and choices.
Alexander insisted on flying across the Atlantic with us to help her find a new place to live.
We touched down at Heathrow on a crisp autumn morning, the cool air feeling like a breath of fresh energy.
For the next four days, we toured various apartments in the quiet, historic neighborhoods of Kensington and Chelsea.
Sofia finally chose a charming, small flat with large windows that overlooked a green courtyard.
It was a stark contrast to the cold, modern luxury of her previous condo.
This place felt warm, safe, and entirely hers.
Alexander spent the afternoon negotiating a long-term lease, ensuring his daughter had the best security system installed.
Meanwhile, Sofia and I walked down the cobblestone streets, shopping for simple plants and cozy blankets.
As I watched her argue playfully with a local shopkeeper over the price of an antique mirror, my heart swelled.
The dark circles under her eyes were completely gone, replaced by a healthy, radiant glow.
That night, we dined at a small, candlelit bistro around the corner from her new home.
Alexander raised his glass, his eyes shimmering with an emotion he rarely allowed others to see.
"To new beginnings," he said, looking directly at our daughter.
"And to the strength that brought you here."
Sofia clinked her glass against ours, a brilliant, tearful smile lighting up her face.
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"I couldn't have done it without both of you," she said softly.
In that moment, the thousands of miles between us and the courtroom felt like a lifetime away.
