Chapter 1009:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

The moment Sophie’s name was spoken, Adrian’s gaze changed. The coldness faded, as if winter had quietly stepped aside for spring. “She’s… easy to love,” Adrian said, his voice lower. “So much so that I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t care for her. My mother adored her too. She even gave Sophie her favorite necklace.”

A faint smile touched his lips. “Maybe some things really are written by fate. Sophie loves jewelry design, just like my mother did. Out of all the paths in the world, theirs somehow crossed in the same place. Strange, isn’t it?”

Luca let out a long sigh. “A woman loved by both you and Carole,” he murmured, “she must be extraordinary.” After a pause, he continued, “Carole loved jewelry. I knew that. Over the years, whenever I saw something rare or beautiful, I kept it. One piece after another. I always thought there would be time to give them to her.” His smile turned hollow. “But life plays tricks. It gives you tomorrow and steals it the same day.”

He looked up at Adrian. “When the time comes, I’ll have all those jewels sorted and sent over. Let them be my wedding gift to Sophie, from both me and Carole. If Carole knew those things ended up with someone she cherished, she’d be happy.”

Luca almost found it absurd. He had spoken more today than he had in years. Since his throat had been damaged, every word scraped through him like dry gravel, painful and slow. Yet as he looked at Adrian, this man carrying Carole’s blood, and his own, he found himself greedy. A selfish kind of greed. He wanted to look a little longer. Hear a little more.

He glanced toward the window. “It’s raining.” His tone turned quieter. “Stay until it stops. Tell me about your childhood.”

Adrian followed his gaze. Outside, the sky had darkened without warning. Heavy clouds pressed low, swallowing the light whole. He stayed silent for a few seconds. Then, without saying no, he returned to his seat.

The rain grew steadier. Soft drops tapped against the windows, while the leaves in the courtyard shivered under the drizzle, rustling like whispered secrets.

Then, through the curtain of rain, another sound came. Muted. Sharp. At first, it almost resembled thunder. But both men knew instantly. That was no thunder. It was a gunshot.

After work, Sophie stood at the entrance of the company lobby, staring at the endless rain outside. Her brows drew together as she sighed. The morning had been bright enough to fool anyone. Who would have guessed the sky would change its face so quickly?

Re𝗮𝘥 𝘸𝗂t𝗁𝗈𝘶𝘁 𝗶ո𝘁e𝘳𝗋𝗎р𝘁i𝘰ns o𝗻 𝗀а𝗅𝘯𝗼𝘷𝘦l𝘴.co𝗆

A hand tapped her shoulder. “What are you daydreaming about? I’m here. Let’s go.”

Sophie turned around and saw Sarah. She smiled apologetically. “I didn’t bring an umbrella today. Looks like we’re stuck here until the rain lets up.”

The two of them usually left work together. Most rainy days were no problem, because Sophie always checked the forecast and remembered to bring an umbrella. Sarah, on the other hand, relied on that habit like clockwork. But today, even the forecast had lied.

Sarah grinned and reached into her bag, pulling something out like a magician revealing a final trick. “Look what I brought.”

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