Chapter 47

#47″Can’t A Mother Visit Her Son?”

Alexander sat in his office, his frustration evident in the way he drummed his fingers on the polished mahogany desk. His secretary, Laura, sensing his dissatisfaction, hesitated at the doorway.

“Is there something I can assist you with, Mr. Stone?” she asked cautiously. Alexander’s brows furrowed deeply, and he replied tersely, “Yes, there is. Sit down.”

The secretary complied, her unease growing as she took a seat across from him. Alexander’s frustration had been palpable for a while, and she braced herself for what was to come.

“You’ve been failing to uncover important information,” Alexander began, his voice sharp with irritation.

The secretary tried to maintain her composure, though she had no idea what he was referring to. “I apologize, Mr. Stone. Could you please specify which information you’re referring to?”

Alexander’s anger boiled over as he grabbed a stack of documents from his desk and tossed them in her direction. They scattered across the desk.

“See for yourself,” he said, his tone dripping with exasperation. Laura’s eyes widened as she read the name on the documents. “Sophia Johnson? But… but I thought…”

Alexander cut her off, his patience wearing thin. “You thought wrong. Sophia Johnson is my ex-wife, and I can’t believe you failed to uncover this crucial detail.”

Laura stammered in response, her face flushed with embarrassment. “I… I had no idea, Mr. Stone. I apologize for the oversight.”

Alexander took a deep breath. “This miscommunication is unacceptable. I need you to find out why this happened. and rectify it immediately.”

The secretary nodded. “Of course, Mr. Stone. I’ll investigate and ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Alexander watched as she scrambled to gather the scattered documents. Shortly after the tense encounter with his secretary, Alexander’s phone rang, and he saw his mother’s name on the caller ID.

Surprised by the unexpected call, he answered.

“Mother? Is everything all right?” His mother’s voice, warm and familiar, came through the line.

“Alexander, I’ve returned.”

Alexander’s heart skipped a beat. His mother had been abroad for a long time, and her sudden return without prior notice was unusual. “You’re back? That’s… unexpected. Is everything okay?”

Alexander felt a sense of relief as his mother’s warm laughter washed over him. “Yes, dear, everything is fine. Can’t a mother visit her son?” she asked with affection in her voice.

“Of course,” Alexander replied. As they spoke, Alexander’s thoughts couldn’t help but drift to the recent revelations that had upended his life. Among them was the shocking discovery that his family had been involved in concealing Sophia’s true identity from him.

Taking a deep breath, Alexander decided to broach the subject gently with his mother. “Mother, you know I recently got divorced, and…”

His mother interrupted him, her tone inviting. “Yes?”

Alexander hesitated for a moment, then continued, “What do you think about the subject? We haven’t discussed it.”

There was a prolonged silence on the other end of the line, and Alexander could sense the weight of his mother’s contemplation. Finally, she sighed.

“I think it would be best to discuss it in private.” Alexander nodded in acknowledgment of his mother’s response. “Yes, of course. Where are you staying?”

“In the villa,” she said. As Alexander heard that his mother was staying in the villa, where Sophia had once lived during their marriage, he felt a sharp stab of regret and guilt. This grand place, now devoid of Sophia’s presence, served as a stark reminder of his past neglect.

“I’ll come see you,” he replied, his voice carrying a hint of determination. With that, their conversation came to an end, leaving the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. Alexander couldn’t sit still with the weight of his emotions and the need for answers. He decided to go to the villa immediately.

As Alexander returned to the villa, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of memories pressing down on him. The grand villa stood as a testament to his grandfather’s legacy. Generations of his family had resided within its walls, until their untimely departures.

In his younger days, Alexander would often visit the villa with his mother, cherishing the moments spent there alongside his beloved grandparents during the holidays. However, after their passing, the once vibrant abode remained unoccupied, its halls echoing with memories.

It wasn’t until his marriage to Sophia that the villa found new life, as she made it her new abode. Yet, burdened by the weight of an arranged marriage against his will, Alexander had resisted returning to this place since the day they signed the marriage license.

This was the place where Sophia had once lived alone during their marriage, a fact that had haunted him since Alexander learned of it. While his mother was out shopping, Alexander requested the butler to guide him around the places where Sophia had once lived.

The butler, ever composed and professional, led Alexander through the elegant halls and charming corners of the villa. His footsteps echoed on the marble floors as they visited the gardens, the library, and the cozy sitting room by the fireplace.

“Mrs. Sophia spent a lot of her time here, sir,” the butler said, indicating the lush garden with its blooming flowers. “And in the library, she often immersed herself in books.”

Alexander listened attentively as the butler continued, “And this sitting room, sir, was a favorite spot of hers. She enjoyed the view of the garden and the warmth of the fireplace.”

“Did anyone visit her?” Alexander inquired. The butler answered, “No, Mrs. Sophia always sat alone.

She sometimes met her friend, Evelyn, but had no other visitors.”

Alexander felt a pang of guilt as he absorbed this information. “So she’s been sitting all alone all these years,” he muttered, more to himself than to the butler.

“She is a charismatic woman, sir. She has always treated us very well. She made this place a home.

Most things are her idea-the decoration, the garden. She maintained everything.”

Alexander couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty and warmth that Sophia had brought to the villa. He could easily imagine raising a family here. However, this realization only deepened his sense of regret.

As he stood in the elegant surroundings, Alexander couldn’t escape the painful truth that his own actions and indifference had played a significant role in driving Sophia to a life of solitude. The weight of his neglect bore down on him, filling him with an overwhelming sense of guilt.

After absorbing this information, Alexander dismissed the butler with a nod of gratitude. As he stood alone in the villa, the echoes of his past mistakes resonated loudly. He couldn’t escape the realization of how he had failed Sophia during their marriage and the consequences of his actions.

As Alexander was lost in his thoughts and immersed in the memories of the villa, his mother’s return interrupted his reverie. He heard her call to him from the front door.

“Alexander,” she began, “I need to speak with you. Please meet me immediately.”

With one last lingering glance at the gorgeous garden that Sophia had lovingly tended, Alexander turned to his mother. Determination filled his heart, and he couldn’t wait to discuss everything, to shed light on his family’s relationship with Sophia.