Chapter 12

Sophia's fingers trembled slightly as she gripped the phone. Ryan's voice felt like an echo from a life she had buried long ago, a ghost she never wanted to face again.

She took a steadying breath. Stay calm. "Ryan, what do you mean by 'coming back'?"

On the other end, there was a pause before he spoke. "I mean I want to be part of Leo's life. I know I made mistakes, but I've changed. I want to fix things."

Fix things?

Sophia nearly laughed. He had been absent for years, leaving her to raise their son alone, and now he wanted to fix things?

Her stomach churned, anger simmering beneath the surface. But before she could respond, a warm presence moved behind her. She didn't have to turn to know who it was.

Alexander.

He stood close but didn't interrupt, offering silent support. That was the difference between him and Ryan—Alexander never pushed, never made empty promises. He showed up.

Sophia exhaled sharply and turned away slightly, lowering her voice. "You don't get to decide this now, Ryan. Leo has a life. A good one."

"I just want a chance, Soph. Please. Can we meet and talk?"

Sophia clenched her jaw. "I need time to think about it."

"Okay." His voice was hesitant. "Just… don't shut me out."

She hung up before he could say more, pressing the phone to her forehead as she closed her eyes.

"You okay?" Alexander's voice was low, controlled, but she could hear the concern underneath.

She turned to face him, realizing too late how close he was. His presence was grounding, steady.

"That was Leo's father," she admitted, barely above a whisper. "He says he wants back in his life."

Alexander didn't react immediately. His expression remained calm, unreadable, but she sensed the shift in his posture—subtle tension, the slight clench of his jaw.

"What do you want?" he asked, his voice careful.

She swallowed. "I don't know."

She wanted to protect Leo. She wanted to believe people could change, but she also knew better than to trust blindly.

Alexander studied her for a moment before speaking. "You don't owe him anything, Sophia. But whatever you decide, I'm here."

The quiet promise in his words wrapped around her like a shield. No judgment, no pressure. Just support.

And that scared her more than Ryan ever could.

Because Alexander wasn't just stepping into her life. He was making it harder for her to imagine one without him.

Sophia barely slept that night. Ryan's sudden reappearance had shaken something deep within her—something she had spent years trying to forget.

She had built a life without him. A safe, stable life for Leo. And now, just when things were finally settling into place, he wanted to come back?

And then there was Alexander.

She had spent so long convincing herself she didn't need anyone, but he was proving her wrong in ways she wasn't ready to admit. He was patient, steady, and worst of all, he made her want more.

By morning, she was exhausted but determined. She needed to get her thoughts in order before she made any decisions about Ryan.

A knock on her door startled her.

She wasn't expecting anyone.

When she opened it, her breath caught.

Alexander.

Dressed in his usual effortless style—tailored dark pants, a simple white shirt, and that confidence that made him look like he owned every room he walked into.

"Good morning," he greeted smoothly, holding up two coffee cups.

Sophia narrowed her eyes playfully. "Are you trying to bribe me with caffeine?"

"Absolutely." He smirked, stepping inside before she could protest. "And croissants. I figured you might need a distraction after yesterday."

She sighed, closing the door behind him. "I should be worried about how well you read me."

"I just pay attention," he said simply.

They sat at the small kitchen table, the silence stretching between them, not awkward but heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Finally, Alexander leaned back in his chair. "What are you thinking?"

Sophia hesitated, wrapping her fingers around her coffee cup. "I don't know. Ryan being back… it changes things. But I don't trust him."

Alexander nodded. "You don't have to make a decision right now."

She looked at him, studying his expression. There was no judgment, no pressure. Just quiet understanding.

"I just…" she trailed off, struggling to find the right words.

"You're scared," he finished for her.

She inhaled sharply. "Yes."

Scared of letting Ryan back in.

Scared of making the wrong choice for Leo.

Scared of what she was starting to feel for Alexander.

He reached across the table, his fingers grazing hers lightly. "You don't have to go through this alone, Sophia."

Her throat tightened. He kept saying that. But how could she believe it when every time she had trusted before, she had been left to pick up the pieces?

"You say that now," she whispered. "But what if one day, you change your mind?"

His grip on her hand tightened slightly, as if anchoring her to the present. "Then I guess I'll have to spend every day proving that I won't."

Her heart stuttered.

Alexander wasn't a man who made empty promises.

And that terrified her more than anything.

—

That afternoon, she finally called Ryan back.

"I'll meet you," she said. "But only to talk."

Because for the first time in years, she realized something.

She wasn't the same woman he had left behind.

And she sure as hell wasn't going to let him come back and ruin everything she had built—including whatever was happening between her and Alexander.