The Man Who Destroyed Me Is Now Begging to Mend Me 88

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Sophia’s eyes flickered. She said, “It was about two years ago. I heard that Grace Abbey worked miracles.”

Richard said, “I always thought you were too rational to believe in anything beyond yourself.”

Sophia sighed. Richard caught the sound, and his eyes darkened with confusion as he stared at her. “Why the sigh?” he

asked.

“Mr. Sterling, you don’t know me. I’ve believed in gods ever since I was little,” Sophia answered.

Once Sophia started sharing, she spilled everything that was on her mind without holding back.

“Back when I was a little kid, I’d walk past a church every day on my way to school. Without fail, I’d run in and say a prayer.” she admitted.

Richard’s eyes softened with a smile, picturing a delicate, cherubic little girl praying with all her heart in the church.

“What did you pray for?” Richard asked.

Sophia rested her hands on the railing, not caring if her childhood wishes sounded silly. She continued, “I used to wish God would bring me real parents. It didn’t matter if they were rich. I just needed someone to love me and take me away.”

Back then, Sophia was abused by her adoptive father every day. There was a time she wondered if she was their real child, and as it turned out, she wasn’t.

Richard watched her maintain her brave front and said softly, “If I’d met you sooner, I would’ve stolen you away. I would have raised you in a world filled with happiness, and never let you taste any hardship.”

Sophia felt a tremor in her heart. She glanced back at Richard’s handsome face and smiled. “That was only what I wished for as a little girl,” she said.

Sophia thought, ‘Richard is a good man. He always knows how to say the right thing. Even if this wish can never come true, hearing those words makes me feel less alone.‘

“Still, thank you,” Sophia said gently.

Richard stared into her eyes. In the sunlight, they shone with a translucent, glassy glow that was both stunning and hauntingly beautiful.

“Why are you thanking me? I haven’t done anything,” he replied.

“Maybe you haven’t done anything practical, but you gave me the kind of reassurance I always wished for. So, I want to thank you for the little girl I used to be,” Sophia said softly.

Sophia thought, ‘If only that little girl had known someone would one day promise to take her away, care for her, and surround her with all the warmth she craved. Perhaps she would have found her salvation

Richard smiled gently, saying nothing. After a brief break, they resumed climbing the mountain. Maybe it was the heart–to- heart they had shared at the scenic overlook, but from that moment on, the atmosphere between them felt much more

relaxed and natural.

Harley followed quietly behind, offering water and towels at the right moments.

When they reached the summit, Grace Abbey was filled with worshippers. But today the crowd was larger than usual, and Sophia could sense that something special was happening.

She went over to ask an attendant and learned that a celebration was taking place that day.

Sophia thought, “That must explain the crowd. Everyone is here for the celebration.”

Sophia returned to Richard and teased, “Mr. Sterling, with all the fortune you’ve already got, what are you doing lining up to pray for more? Are you trying to outdo everyone else?”

Sophia thought, ‘It’s one thing for ordinary people to pray for money, but for Richard to do it too? He always takes things to

the next level.

Richard hadn’t realized there was a celebration here today, but he took Sophia’s banter in stride.

He said with a chuckle, “Who ever complains about having too much money?”

“Fair point,” Sophia said, then quickly joined the line to enter the church. But as she turned, she noticed Richard standing there, not showing any intention of going in.

She figured, ‘A man as reserved as him probably won’t want to pray in front of me, even if he’s here for the celebration. I will say nothing and let him be.

After she finished praying and walked out of the hall, Sophia saw Richard and Harley hanging out under an oak tree a short distance away.

Right nearby, an attendant was swinging a net, knocking down acorns with surprising focus.

Sophia stared for a moment, utterly baffled. She hurried over and noticed Harley’s cloth bag was already stuffed halfway with those acorns. She couldn’t help but lift an eyebrow.

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