Sophia

 

 

Death isn't something I've had a lot of experience with. I still have every single one of my grandparents, I've never lost a friend and because of my mom's severe allergies to pet dander, we never got to have a dog or a cat when I was growing up.

For me, death is restricted to the hour of television I watch with Cadence each week where someone is murdered and our favorite duo of police detectives crack the case with time to spare for the prosecution to present its case and get a conviction.

I stare up and into the face of the man I know I'm falling in love with. I knew it before I took that frame apart and saw the love letter written to him by another woman. I knew it earlier tonight when we were sharing a dinner and laughing about how great it would be if I started the next fashion trend.

"I don't talk about her anymore." His hands cup my cheeks as he speaks softly. "She died when I was in college. It's been a long time."

A long time is subjective when a heart is involved. He couldn't tell me if he loves her still because a part of him does. I can see that in his face but I see something else there too and all of that is directed at me.

"Her father killed her?"  I ask because I'm still trying to process that. My dad cherishes me. He might not be happy about the fact that I'm living on my own in New York City, but I know he'd do anything in his power to protect me. 

He caresses my upper arms through my coat. "He shot Briella's entire family. There was only one survivor. Her sister pulled through."

"Is he in jail? Did her dad go to prison?"

Letting out a deep breath he looks down at the frame before he responds. "The bastard shot himself last. Thankfully he didn't survive."

It's a tragedy of epic proportions. I want more details. I want to understand how he found out and why the note Briella wrote to him is covered in a spray of something that looks like blood. I bite my tongue though because now isn't the time to ask about details that don't matter anymore. He lost someone he loved in a horribly violent way.

"Can we go back to bed, Nicholas? I just want us to hold each other until I have to leave."

He nods his head slowly. "I want that. I want you, Sophia."

 

***

 

"You're talking about the Vanderwelle family, Soph." Cadence butters a slice of toast. "I remember when that happened. It was a couple of weeks before Christmas. The entire Northeast was in mourning over that."

I wouldn't know. I was living in Florida eight years ago when it happened. I didn't pay any attention to the news. I don't know a lot of sixteen-year-old kids that do. Apparently, Cadence is one of them.

"Our school had a fundraiser." She chews on a small bite of her omelet. "One of the daughters survived and a woman who lived near the family set up a collection for her hospital bills and recovery. We sold pins in the shape of small hearts. We raised a lot of money for her."

Life intersects in the most unexpected of ways sometimes. "I can't imagine what that girl went through."

"I met her last year." She takes a sip from the glass of milk she ordered. "She came into Nova with her husband. I recognized her from the pictures in the paper and then when she introduced herself, I knew it was her. Lilly Parker is her name."

"Lilly Parker?" I ask, after sampling the scrambled eggs I ordered. I'd texted Cadence to meet me here for my brunch break. After I hopped in a taxi after kissing Nicholas goodbye I went straight to work. I changed into the dress I keep in my locker there and after a quick brush of my hair, I was sitting at my desk, ready to get to work when Mr. Foster came in at seven.

It's near ten now and since the conference call went off without a hitch, I asked if I could take lunch early. He agreed and even offered me an extra hour since he was in such a good mood.

"That's what I said." Cadence hits the bottom of the mustard bottle on the table, aiming it at her toast.

"Are you going to put mustard on your toast?" I scrunch my nose.

"Firi likes that," she says it without breaking a smile. "He has unusual taste."

I shake off the thought of what that tastes like and instead circle back to Lilly. "I worked with Lilly when I was at Hughes Enterprises."

I'm instantly struck with the image of the petite redhead who runs the tech department at the company I worked for when I first came to New York. We didn't interact very often because I was an assistant to one of the other executives, but she was friendly and helpful. I had no idea that she'd lived through such a personal hell.

"I don't know her beyond a few words when she came to Nova, but she seems grounded. I don't know how I'd survive losing my entire family in one night. I don't think anyone can ever get over that."

I don't either. It's a horrific experience like that would be branded into someone's memory forever. Both Lilly and Nicholas lost people they loved that night. That has to create a bond that is as unbreakable as it is unique.