The hospital corridor was eerily quiet, not a soul in sight. Sophie wandered alone down the empty hallway, her eyes catching the word "Morgue" looming ahead. It was freezing in there, and clad in a flimsy hospital gown, she stood outside one of the rooms, too scared to step inside. When she was little, her parents adored her. But even more than they adored her, they adored each other. They were always off on some adventure, grabbing any chance to travel the world, so she often found herself at the Aldridge Manor. To her, the manor felt more like home than anywhere else. And Gordon, well, he was the best. As a kid, she clung to him like a shadow. Kids are sensitive to scents, and she loved the way Gordon smelled. She would often nestle against him, coaxing her brother to spin her tales. Even back then, Gordon was incredibly busy. He was a rare genius in the Aldridge family, with a slew of international courses lined up for him every day. Yet, he never let exhaustion show in front of her. Instead, he patiently indulged her with stories each time. Those days were carefree and beautiful.noveldrama

But life isn't perfect; she wasn't the same Sophie anymore, and Gordon wasn't the Gordon she remembered. He was now a cold, lifeless body, lying there, never to flash her that gentle, easy smile again.

Rick watched her with a touch of sympathy and said, "Ms. Sophie, take care of yourself."

"Ms. Sophie, it's time," Rick approached, breaking the silence. Sophie stared at the body covered in a white sheet, silent. As Rick instructed the hospital staff to wheel the gurney away, Sophie didn't move an inch. When the gurney brushed past her, she fought the urge to look back.

"I will," Sophie whispered. Gordon had done everything to make sure she'd grow, to make sure she'd be okay in a world without him. Through his rigorous guidance, she had become someone with a rock solid resolve. She had weathered countless hardships, survived close calls, and faced many storms. Fear was no longer a companion.

ΟΛΟΙ

The former head of the Aldridge family was being laid to rest, and the entire town of Devonport showed up to pay their respects. In the

cemetery, Sophie wore a black dress with a white flower pinned to her chest. A black-and-white photo of Gordon adorned the tombstone. He had prepared his own obituary photo long ago. That was

seventeen-year-old Gordon.

Jenna stayed close to Sophie, keeping an eye on her emotions, worried she might break down at the funeral. But Sophie didn't. She stood like an expressionless puppet, a cold observer at this funeral. No tears, no sign of pain. This made Jenna even more anxious. Nearby, a supportive friend shook their head at Jenna, understanding that some things are hard to put into words; some

emotional knots aren't easily untied.

"No."

Colby stood by Sophie's side, holding an umbrella over her as a gentle snow fell from the sky, turning the cemetery a pristine white. In the afternoon, the guests began to leave one by one. Only Sophie remained by the gravestone.

"Colby, do you think... he thought I was a burden?" Sophie's voice was barely a whisper.

"Then why, after that kidnapping, did he never come to see me again?" Sophie gazed at the photo on the tombstone, feeling as if Gordon was still there, still smiling at her.