Part 16
Spring arrived, bringing a beautiful renewal to both London and our lives back home.
Sofia had excelled so much in her courses that her professors recommended her for an internship at a top architectural firm.
She was busy, thriving, and deeply invested in her daily routine.
One evening, while I was tending to the garden in my backyard, my phone rang with an unfamiliar international number.
When I answered, Sofia’s voice sounded different—there was a nervous, excited flutter in her tone.
"Mom, I want to tell you something, but you have to promise not to overreact," she began.
My heart gave a brief, protective thud, a lingering reflex from the trauma of the past year.
"Of course, sweetie, what is it?" I asked, putting down my gardening shears.
"I met someone," she said softly. "His name is Ethan. He’s an architecture student working at the same firm."
She went on to explain how they had spent weeks working side-by-side on a museum renovation project.
Ethan was kind, incredibly respectful, and completely unaware of her wealthy background or the trial.
He liked her simply for her quick wit, her talent, and the kindness she showed to everyone around her.
"I was so scared to trust anyone again after Javier," Sofia confessed, her voice cracking slightly.
"But Ethan never pushes me. He listens, and he makes me feel incredibly safe."
Tears filled my eyes as I listened to her describe a healthy, normal, beautiful romance.
The fear that Carmen and Javier had permanently broken her ability to love was completely washed away.
"I am so incredibly happy for you, Sofia," I said, wiping a tear from my cheek.
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"You deserve to be loved properly, with respect and honesty."
Later that night, I called Alexander to share the news, and he laughed with genuine joy, promising to be on his best behavior when he eventually met the young man.
