chapter 9

Sophia's POV

The rhythmic hum of the car engine filled the silence as we turned onto my street. After 45 minutes of driving, the familiarity of home came into view. I leaned forward slightly, pointing out the direction.

"Over here, sir. Take a right. The next house is mine," I said, my voice cutting through the stillness.

Mr. Benjamin, seated in the passenger seat, surveyed the neighborhood with a furrowed brow. "This place is noisy, Sophia. How do you concentrate in a neighborhood like this?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and disapproval.

I chuckled lightly. "I have my ways," I replied, trying to keep the mood light.

"I don't like it here for you or your family at all," he said firmly, his gaze scanning the rundown houses, cracked sidewalks, and children playing in the street.

To my surprise, Peter, the usually quiet driver, spoke up. "I agree, sir."

I blinked in shock and glanced at the rearview mirror, catching Peter's eyes. He raised an eyebrow, a silent challenge in his expression, as if to say, What? Did you think I couldn't talk?

Before I could respond, Mr. Benjamin's tone turned serious. "I'm serious, Sophia. I'll make sure you and your family get a better home. This environment isn't healthy for you. Let's go inside and meet your mom."

The car rolled to a stop, and Peter quickly got out to open my door. With ease, he lifted me out of the car, his strong arms steady. Mr. Benjamin followed, retrieving the wheelchair from the trunk.

As we approached the front door, I could feel the weight of the day pressing on me. The worn wood of the door creaked slightly under Mr. Benjamin's firm knock. A moment later, the door opened to reveal my mother, her face a mix of worry and relief.

"Sophia!" she exclaimed, her eyes darting between me, Peter, and Mr. Benjamin. "Who are these men? I was worried sick about you! Your friend came by earlier, asking after you, and I didn't know what to tell her."

"Mom," I said with a reassuring smile, "please, let us in. I'll explain everything."

Her initial hesitation melted away, and she stepped aside to let us in. The cramped living room greeted us with its familiar mix of worn furniture and the faint scent of last night's dinner. Peter gently set me down on the sofa, and the twins came bursting out of the bedroom like tiny whirlwinds.

"Sophy!" they cried in unison, their small faces lighting up with excitement.

Before I could stop them, they launched themselves at me. Pain shot through my injured knee, and I couldn't hold back a scream. The twins froze, their eyes wide with guilt and confusion.

"We're sorry, Sophy," they said in unison, their voices trembling.

"It's okay," I managed through clenched teeth, cradling my knee protectively. "I'm fine, really."

My mom's voice rose, her worry bubbling over. "What happened to you, Sophia? Someone needs to explain why my daughter is in pain and why there is a wheelchair in my house!"

I took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension. "Mom, this is Mr. Benjamin, the man who gave me the scholarship," I said, gesturing toward him.

Her expression softened as she turned to Mr. Benjamin. He gave her a polite nod and gently took her aside, his voice low as he explained the events of the day. I couldn't hear their conversation, but I saw the shift in my mom's demeanor—worry giving way to gratitude.

When they returned to the living room, my mom clasped Mr. Benjamin's hand tightly. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter and for everything you've done for us."

He waved off her gratitude. "I'll be back tomorrow to take Sophia to school and to help you all move to a better place. This neighborhood isn't safe or healthy for you."

With that, he turned and left, his departure as abrupt as his arrival.

As the door closed behind him, I sighed. "He's right, though. This place is a mess."

My mom sat beside me, her voice low. "What does he mean by taking us to a better place?"

I reached out for the twins, pulling them close. Their small arms wrapped around me as I reassured them. "Mom, Mr. Benjamin wants to move us to a new home. Somewhere better for all of us."

That night, the house buzzed with a quiet excitement. My mom couldn't stop smiling, her usual worries replaced with a rare optimism. Even the twins, despite not fully understanding, seemed to sense the change. We all slept soundly, a rarity in our noisy neighborhood.

The morning sunlight streamed through my window, too bright for my tired eyes. I groaned and turned away, but my mom's soft voice pulled me from my half-sleep.

"Good morning, Sophia," she said, her face glowing with an unusual energy.

"Good morning, Mom," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. "Are the twins still asleep?"

She nodded. "They won't be going to school today."

"Why not?" I asked, concerned.

"They both had fevers last night. I stayed up with them, but they're better now. We'll visit the clinic after you leave for school," she explained.

I frowned, guilt creeping in. "I didn't even hear anything. I must've been exhausted."

She smiled and patted my shoulder. "Don't worry. They're fine now. Let's get you ready for school."

As she helped me dress, a sudden knock at the door interrupted us. My mom went to answer it, and moments later, Leah burst into the room.

"Sophia!" she cried, her arms wrapping around me in a careful hug. "I was so worried! I called and came by, but no one knew where you were!"

"I'm sorry," I said, guilt lacing my words. "I sent you a text, but I guess you didn't see it. I was with Mr. Benjamin at the hospital. They had to do X-rays on my knee."

Leah's eyes widened. "Why the wheelchair, though?"

I sighed. "The doctor said I shouldn't let my leg touch the ground. If it doesn't heal in a month or two, I might need surgery."

Leah squeezed my hand. "Don't worry, Sophia. We'll get through this together."

Another knock interrupted us, and Leah jumped up to answer the door. She returned with Mr. Benjamin in tow, his usual composed demeanor intact.

"Good morning, girls," he greeted us. "Sophia, I see you're ready for school. Leah, did you bring your driver?"

"Yes, sir. He's waiting outside," Leah replied.

"Perfect. Peter, carry Sophia and her wheelchair to Leah's car. I'll take her mother and siblings to the new apartment."

Before I could protest, Peter scooped me up effortlessly. As he carried me out, I glanced back at my mom, who was clutching an envelope Mr. Benjamin had handed her. Her expression was a mix of hope and disbelief.

As the car pulled away, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. For the first time in a long while, it felt like things were finally changing for the.