Second Chance At Love

Chapter 3

In the darkness, Sophia and Jason’s eyes met, wordlessly. A profound silence filled the room, punctuated only by the echo of their heartbeats

and breath in the stillness.

“Are you alright? You don’t seem like yourself,” Jason inquired, reaching out to touch her forehead with concern. “Feeling unwell?”

Sophia’s gaze faltered as she instinctively averted her eyes, avoiding Jason’s touch. “I’m alright, It’s just a headache. Perhaps I caught a cold. Just… let go of me,” she murmured.

Jason parted his lips, a sentence hanging on the tip of his tongue. Yet, his moment was interrupted by the sudden ringing of his neglected

phone on the bedside table. His eyes darted to the screen, where the word “Ada” danced in neon hues.

“I’ll go take this call and bring some medicine afterward,” Jason assured her, not lingering for her reply. Snatching up the phone, he hastily exited the room, his hurried steps echoing a sense of urgency as he disappeared onto the balcony,

From the corner of her eye, Sophia caught sight of “Ada“, the contact name glowing on the screen.

“What an intimate nickname. Sophia thought. ‘A name brimming with his affection for Ada. But what did he save my name as on his phone?‘

she pondered, trying to recall

‘Oh, yes! it was my full name, Sophia Taylor. Sophia chuckled wryly at the memory, acknowledging the formal tone of her own contact name

on his phone.

‘Why have I not noticed this?‘ Sophia thought as pieces started falling in place.

When Jason returned after the call, his expression was solemn, hinting that Ada might have voiced discomfort during the call, which caused

him concern.

“I have to step out for a while. I won’t be back tonight. You should get some rest,” Jason said, picking up his suit jacket from the floor and swiftly putting it on before leaving-

Sophia smiled after observing how he had instantly forgotten about bringing her medicine after a call with Ada.

“Well, I shamelessly pursued him and ruined his relationship. I guess I deserve to be seen as cheap in his eyes, Sophia mocked herself internally.

“Is there a problem at work?” Sophia inquired delicately, though she already knew the actual reason.

Jason avoided her gaze, his tone steady but tinged with a distant reserve. “Unfortunately, yes. Another company managed to snag one of our projects, causing significant losses, I’ll need to go take a look at the situation.”

Sophia brought her fist to her mouth and coughed deliberately, her voice weakened by the effort. “I’m not feeling well. Can you stay home tonight and keep me company?” she asked.

Despite knowing his likely answer, she couldn’t resist the urge to ask him to stay. I already knew what the answer would be, yet I refused to give up,’ she reflected inwardly. “That’s quite cheap of me.

Jason glanced at the watch on his wrist as if in a rush. “It’s urgent at work, so I must go. I’ll come back tomorrow to be with you,” he said, his

tone firm.

16:51 Sun, 23 Jun GBG

Observing Jason’s anxiety, Sophia offered a strained smile and relented. “Forget it, just go,” she conceded, her words belying the emotional turmoil within her. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, escaping silently down her cheeks as she turned away. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Jason departed without looking at Sophia again, and his car engine echoed through the courtyard moments later.

Enduring the throbbing pain in her chest, Sophia rose unsteadily to her feet and shuffled to the windows. She stood by the windows and watched the car’s taillights disappear into the night, leaving a quiet emptiness behind. In the stillness, she sensed a haunting presence, as if death itself lingered in the shadows.

Her hand moved down and gently cradled her flat belly, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. “My dear baby, let’s meet your sister in heaven soon, alright?”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the ache in her chest as the sound of her heart shattering echoed in the silence of the night.

Jason had been away for three days since his abrupt departure. Sophia’s attempt to reach him yielded only a brief phone call, during which he mentioned he had traveled overseas and couldn’t determine his return date.

Clutching onto a fading hope, Sophia donned a mask and went to Preston Hospital. However, what awaited her was a painful revelation of Jason’s tender care toward Ada, a sight that deeply pierced her heart.

Observing Jason’s devoted gesture, ear pressed gently against Ada’s belly as he listened to the unborn child’s movements, Sophia felt her world crumbling once more. The intensity of her anguish threatened to engulf her, leaving her disoriented and overwhelmed.

Recalling her pregnancy two years ago, Sophia was excited as she invited Jason to listen to their child’s movements within her belly. Now, she found herself struggling with the memory of his response. The echoes of that moment haunted her, casting a shadow ov