Chapter 664
Tristan walked to Sophie’s side and held her hand.
“That’s enough. Stop overthinking for you have done your best. They’re the ones who won’t get their act together.”
There really was no need for Sophie to take the blame as nothing was her fault.
Charmaine had always favored Willow, but considering Willow’s personality, things wouldn’t get better if they let her be.
Thus, Sophie did nothing wrong.
Willow was the type of person who would never reflect on herself. In fact, Sophie was already very lenient toward her.
“I’m fine. I just miss Grandpa.” Knowing that Tristan was concerned about her, Sophie forced herself to flash him a smile.
“You don’t have to force a smile in front of me if you don’t feel like it. You’ve sent her to the rehabilitation center, so stop worrying now,” Tristan coaxed. He knew Sophie must feel terrible. Although they were on bad terms, Charmaine was Sophie’s mother, after all.
He then prompted, “Let’s go home.”
It had been snowing heavily in Jipsdale for two days. The temperature that day fell below zero, and Sophie’s body was cold after staying outdoors for so long.
“All right. Let’s go home.”
Not wanting to worry Tristan, Sophie trailed behind him without a word. The steps leading down the mountain were slippery due to the snow, so he grabbed her hand tightly and guided her slowly.
Despite the slippery ground, Tristan’s steps were steady, just like the feeling he always gave her—calm and reliable, as if she could depend on him for the rest of her life.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Tristan started the car and turned on the heater. It was only then that Sophie began to warm up.
“Drink some water.”
Tristan had brought a thermos filled with hot water for Sophie.
“Thank you.”
Holding the thermos, Sophie took a few sips. Immediately, she felt much better.
“How did you know I’m here? Did you plant a surveillance camera on me?” she asked curiously.
“I guessed it.”
Of course, Tristan couldn’t have possibly placed a camera on Sophie.
In the whole of Jipsdale, Josiah was the person Sophie cared about the most. It was natural that she’d be here when she was sad.
Sophie drank another mouthful of hot water.
“It is indeed really cold.”
While snowy days were beautiful, they were also freezing.
“Do you want some?”
“Sure.”
With that, Sophie brought the thermos to Tristan’s lips.
He bit the straw and had a sip before asking, “You didn’t have lunch, did you?”
As Tristan knew what Sophie did that day, he was also aware she didn’t eat lunch. “Sophie. No matter what happens in the future, don’t make yourself suffer, okay? It will break my heart,” he said with a pained expression.
“Okay. I didn’t skip lunch on purpose. I just lost the mood to eat suddenly.”
“All right, I’ll take you back so we can have some food. Ysabelle won an award yesterday, and she said she’s going to treat you. Cecelia is also done with her movie shoot. Let’s have a meal together,” Tristan proposed.
He supposed her mood would improve a little if her friends kept her company.
“Okay, let’s go. I don’t want to keep them waiting.”
At Blossom Garden, the group was already waiting.
With a frown, Ysabelle fretted, “Gosh, Sophie must be so upset!”
Her family members are such troublemakers! Sophie is already so tired. Why do they keep acting up?
Seeing how distraught his girlfriend was, Felix consoled her, “Don’t worry. She has Mr. Tristan. He’ll surely comfort her.”
Cecelia was also exasperated. She chimed in, “You’re right, Ysabelle. They mistreated Sophie back then, but she didn’t even get back at them when she returned! Yet now, they’re stirring trouble for her all the time!”
Cecelia was actually tempted to ship those people to outer space so no one could annoy Sophie anymore.
“That’s enough, guys. Let’s stop talking about this. She’ll deal with it properly,” Felix interjected. He had asked someone to watch over Charmaine at the rehabilitation center. Ultimately, she was Sophie’s mother, so they wouldn’t let her suffer too much.
Charles nodded and remarked, “Indeed, no one is perfect. Sophie’s parents are the only flaw in her life.”
If she were born into another family, they would definitely dote on such an excellent daughter.
Just then, Arius showed up.
Though he heard what the others were talking about, he did not comment on it. He didn’t know Sophie’s parents well, and he couldn’t bother to do so either.
Arius disliked anyone who mistreated Sophie.
When Sophie and Tristan arrived, everyone was already there. Noticing Barney’s absence, Sophie couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s Dr. Smith? Why didn’t you bring him? He’s all by himself here, and he must be lonely.”
“I told him, but he refused to come. He said he’s not going to join the gathering of us youngsters.”
Barney was old, and he was worn out due to all the things he had to deal with recently.
Moreover, everyone in the group was young. He’d only be bored if he came.
“I see. If the medical association needs any help, let me know. Dr. Smith needs to rest more,” Sophie said.
As one grows older, their health also deteriorated.
“Sophie, you’re still a student! You need to enjoy your life to the fullest. You should hang out with your classmates like other university students and fall in love. Don’t carry all the burden on your shoulders!” Arius voiced, feeling bad for Sophie.
“There’s no need for that. I know what I’m doing, and this is what I’m capable of doing.”
Besides, Sophie didn’t find such things to be a burden. Instead, she felt contented.
“You’re so…”
Arius was at a loss for words.
Never mind. I don’t understand her world. But no matter what decisions she makes, I’ll support her unconditionally.
“Sophie, I’m sorry for not being by your side these days. I’ve been too busy,” Ysabelle voiced. She had just won a best new artist award and was very popular across the internet. She was getting closer and closer to her target, and this was all thanks to Sophie. Without Sophie, Ysabelle’s quest to achieve her goal wouldn’t have been so smooth.
“Ysabelle, I am really glad for you, seeing that you get to do what you like to do. I know how busy a singer can get. I understand,” Sophie reassured.
Ysabelle’s schedule had been so packed that she couldn’t even spend much time with Felix. Still, she was happy.
Seated beside Sophie, Cecelia was distressed to see the latter not looking too well.
She suggested, “Girls, I’m done with my movie shoot. If you gals are free, let’s go out on a trip.”
It had been quite a while since they last went traveling.
“Let’s go on our own without bringing anyone else!” Cecelia added.
She was the only one single among them, and she didn’t want them to bring their boyfriends for it would torment her poor, lonely soul.
