Chapter 96

• "For the past years... my life has been empty. I was a walking zombie who focused on work, juggling everything alone and trying never to give up hope that you would walk back in the door one day. I don't even remember why I pushed you away as much as I did anymore because all I have felt in your absence is regret and agony at not seeing you. Living with the void you left behind and struggling to breathe without you. I know I am the last person in the world that deserves your love or forgiveness, but for me.... that's the only thing in this world that matters to me." He kicks his boot toe against the edge of the rug. Pulling her gaze to the immature habit of his youth.
• "You want me to get on my knees and beg for a chance? I will.... You want me to quit POLO and relinquish all my shares? I will.... You want me to leave this life behind and follow you wherever you wanna go? I will, Sophia. Even if it's to your remote island to work in a café for the rest of my days and never come back here.... You want me to throw off every tie I have with this life to ensure you would never be hurt again? I will. I'll do anything you ask or need to have another chance with you. It's all I have wanted since the night I stormed out and left you standing in the kitchen. I've lived this way without you, and it sucks... it's miserable and pointless and wouldn't hurt me to throw it all away as long as I got to be with you again." A tear rolls down his cheek, and he sniffs the next one away, scrunching up his nose and tensing his jaw. He looks thirteen years old again and lost like they fought, and teen Leon is sad that his Sophia bunny won't talk to him. Her heart can't take much more of this, and she moves to the nearest armchair before her legs give out completely. Wilting and wishing she never answered the phone tonight at all.
• "What are you saying?" It's a tiny whimper, overwhelmed at his confessions and sincerity in this as he shreds what's left of her willpower to death. He has no idea how much her soul wanted this from him so many times back then. Little Sophia who was besotted with her handsome best friend.