Chapter 200

#200 “Tomorrow’s A Big Day for Them.”

It was time for dinner, and Alexander found himself lost in thought as he busied himself in the kitchen, chopping vegetables with mechanical precision. His mind was consumed by the events of the day, the weight of Elviro and Alberto’s revelations pressing heavily upon him.

He couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him, the nagging sense that something sinister lurked beneath the surface of their seemingly tranquil lives. The knowledge that someone had deliberately targeted Sophia and her family filled him with a sense of foreboding, a deep-seated fear of the unknown.

As he diced the mushrooms with more force than necessary, Alexander’s thoughts churned with a maelstrom of questions and doubts. Why had Elviro and Alberto been so interested in Sophia and her grandfather? What did the buyer hope to gain by acquiring those stolen documents?

“Poor mushrooms,” Sophia’s voice broke through the haze of his thoughts, pulling him back to the present moment.

Alexander blinked, realizing with a start that he had been chopping the mushrooms into oblivion, his mind a million miles away. He felt Sophia’s gentle touch on his back as she wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace.

“What’s troubling you?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Alexander hesitated for a moment, torn between his desire to shield Sophia from the harsh realities of the world and his need to confide in her. But ultimately, he knew that he couldn’t keep the truth from her any longer.

“The conversation today,” Alexander admitted, his voice tinged with regret as he turned to face Sophia.

“It’s been weighing heavily on my mind.”

With a heavy heart, Alexander recounted the events of the day, sparing no detail as he explained the extent of Alberto’s betrayal and the sinister implications of the stolen documents. He watched as Sophia’s expression shifted from confusion to shock, her eyes widening in disbelief at the gravity of the situation.

As he finished speaking, Alexander reached out to take Sophia’s hand in his own, a silent gesture of solidarity and support in the face of adversity.

“There’s something else,” Alexander interjected, his voice tinged with hesitation. “Elviro mentioned to me when was the last time he saw your grandfather.”

Sophia’s interest was piqued. “When?” she inquired, leaning in closer to catch every word.

“He said that he had to help him send a woman and a small child away,” Alexander revealed, watching as comprehension dawned on Sophia’s face.

“A woman and a little…” Sophia’s voice trailed off, her thoughts racing as she connected the dots.

“Benjamin and his mother.”

“I guess,” Alexander murmured sympathetically, sensing the turmoil brewing within Sophia.

“I can’t believe my grandfather would do something so heartless,” Sophia lamented, her disappointment evident in her voice. “The man I looked up to as an example.”

“We have no way of knowing why he did it. Could be…” Alexander began, but Sophia cut him off with a sharp retort.

“Don’t defend him,” she snapped, her tone firm and resolute.

A heavy silence hung between them, thick with unspoken words and unanswered questions. Alexander could feel the weight of Sophia’s emotions pressing down on him as she grappled with the revelation.

“Did he tell you that woman’s name?” Sophia finally broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, I think it was Audrey,” Alexander confirmed, watching as Sophia’s expression shifted to one of shock.

“Do you know her?” she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“No, but I recently discovered documents of transactions where my grandfather sent large sums of money to Andrey Thompson,” Sophia disclosed, her eyebrows furrowing in thought.

“Thompson, like Benjamin Thompson? “Alexander’s eyes widened in realization.

“That must have been his mother,” Sophia declared, the pieces of the puzzle finally falling into place.

Sophia’s mind raced as she processed the implications of this newfound information. The revelation that her grandfather had been involved in such a clandestine affair shook her to the core. She had always held him in high regard, viewing him as a pillar of integrity and honor. Now, confronted with the reality of his actions, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of betraval.

“What do you think happened to them? “Sophia asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to come to terms with the truth.

Alexander shook his head, his expression somber. “It’s hard to say. Elviro didn’t provide many details, but it’s clear that your grandfather played a role in their disappearance.”

Sophia’s thoughts drifted to Benjamin. She couldn’t imagine the pain and hardship he must have endured growing up without a father or the truth about his heritage.

“We need to find out more,” Sophia declared, her voice filled with determination. “I can’t let this rest until I know the whole truth.”

Alexander nodded in agreement, his gaze unwavering. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, Sophia.

Whatever it takes.”

Sophia shook her head, a determined look in her eyes. “Let’s finish dinner. I don’t want to spoil my mood knowing that tomorrow Kyle is finally going to propose to Evelyn.”

Alexander nodded in understanding, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. “You’re right.

Tomorrow’s a big day for them.”

Together, they turned their attention back to the task at hand, pushing aside the weight of the revelations they had just unearthed. As they resumed preparing dinner, a sense of anticipation filled the air, mingling with the aroma of food cooking on the stove.

Despite the lingering questions and uncertainties, Sophia and Alexander found solace in the knowledge that amidst life’s complexities, moments of joy and celebration still awaited them.