Zachary''s embrace was warm. Still groggy from his nap, his voice was low and husky with a maic undertone. Sophia leaned into his arms, finding a rare sense of peace there.

    To be honest, she wasn''t sure if she was truly ready to see Sky again. But with Zachary by her side, she wasn''t afraid.

    "Zachary, I don''t know if I''ve fully healed, I don''t know if I''ll have some kind of trauma response when I see him. But as long as you''re with me, I''ll be okay," she whispered.

    Just hearing Sky''s name brought back painful memories, stirring the self-doubts she had spent so long trying to bury. There was a time when the darkness of her past had wrapped around her like a noose, dragging her deeper into despair, making her believe she didn''t deserve to be loved.

    It was Zachary who pulled her out of that darkness, slowly and steadily, without asking for anything in return. He had stood by her, even when she was at her lowest.

    It had taken every ounce of courage she possessed to ept his love. And sometimes, a part of her still feared it was only a dream. If she woke up, she might find herself lost once more in the dark.

    "Don''t be afraid," Zachary murmured as he gently stroked her back, feeling the slight tremble in her body.

    "Whether it''s facing Sky or anyone else, I''ll be with you. You''ve done nothing wrong. You have no reason to feel ashamed or unworthy. You''re already incredible, Sophia."

    His voice was calm and soothing, wrapping around her like a protective cocoon. Slowly, she began to rx.

    She exhaled softly and changed the subject. "You must be hungry. Zane ordered food already. Let''s go eat."

    "Alright." He released her gently, then got out of the car and reached for her hand. Their fingers intertwined naturally.

    "When we''re back, I''ll schedule a time. I''ll speak to Sky first. You cane in after."

    He still wasn''t entirely sure he could trust Sky. A man with a past like his didn''t earnplete trust overnight. He needed to be sure Sky had truly changed before letting him anywhere near Sophia.

    "Come on, let''s go."

    "Okay."

    They walked into the service area hand in hand. Zane and Connie had alreadyid out the food on the table and waved them over when they saw the two approached.

    "Hey, over here."

    Zachary and Sophia took their seats across from them.

    "Not a lot of options at these rest stops, so I just got us some fast food. We''ll eat something better when we get back to Dithoria," Zane said.

    He pushed the box of pizza toward them. "Let''s dig in. I''m starving."

    "Let''s eat," Zachary said simply, using the serving utensils to ce a slice onto Sophia''s te.

    After the meal, they took a short walk around the service area to stretch their legs, then got back in the car and hit the road again.

    ...

    Three dayster, once they were well rested, Zachary called Sky.

    "Hello, Mr. Walker. We''re back in Dithoria. Are you free today? I''d like to take you out to lunch."

    "Yes, I''m free. I''ve just been resting these past few days."

    Though his parents had told him to take time off, Sky hadn''t really been able to rx. His time in prison had conditioned his body into a strict routine. Sleeping in didn''te easily.

    He had already begun reviewing thepany''s financial reports and familiarizing himself with its recent projects and operations. He had always been used to a busy schedule. Even in prison, he had worked hard every day. Suddenly having nothing to do made him feel restless and uneasy.

    So when Zachary called, he agreed without hesitation.

    "I should be the one treating you. Just send me the time and ce," Sky said.

    "Alright, how about noon today at Harborview Restaurant? Does that work?" Zachary asked.

    "Perfect. I''ll see you there."

    "See you then."

    After hanging up, Sky stared at hisputer screen for a while before finally getting up and heading to his wardrobe.

    He put on a suit and tie, polished ck shoes, and cufflinks. But when he looked

    in the mirror, the clothes didn''t fit the way they used to.

    He had lost weight in prison. Though he''d been eating well at home, it hadn''t been long enough to regain what he''d lost. And the muscles he''d once trained so diligently were gone.

    With a sigh, he took off the suit and chose something simpler, a sweatshirt and jeans. Emma had picked these clothes for him.

    She used to tease him, saying that he always wore suits and looked too stiff and serious. So she''d gone and bought him a bunch of casual outfits, saying he should dress more like someone his age. Wearing them now brought a wave ofplicated emotions.

    But he forced himself to push the sadness down. The more he thought about it, the harder it would be to move forward.

    Staying trapped in the past would be unfair to those he had hurt, and it wouldn''t do him any good either.

    He took a few deep breaths to settle his nerves, then chose a cap that matched the outfit. His buzz cut was still fresh. Anyone who saw it would know where he had juste from.

    After getting ready, Sky headed downstairs.

    "Gorge, can I have some of the cookies, pastries, and mini cakes you baked?"

    Gorge baked something every day. He never knew exactly when Natalie might return, so he simply kept baking. That way, no matter when she came home, there would always be fresh treats waiting for her.

    "Of course, Mr. Sky. Please give me a moment. I''ll pick some for you right away."

    "I want to take them with me. Is that alright?"

    "Absolutely. Just a moment."

    Gorge''s kitchen was fully equipped. In no time, he had everything boxed up. The cookies, delicate pastries, and mini cakes were all carefully arranged in elegant gift boxes.

    He handed them to Sky with a warm smile. "Here you go, Mr. Sky. Are these for someone special?"

    Gorge looked at him with a twinkle in his eyes. "If they like them, just let me know, I''ll be happy to bake more."

    "I packed some this morning for Lincoln as well. He said he was bringing them to Ms. Jeffries, though she''s watching her figure, so she probably won''t eat them. But it''s the thought that counts," he added cheerfully.

    "Yes. I''m meeting Sophia today, and I''d like to give these to her," Sky replied with a nod.

    He didn''t hide it from Gorge. After he spoke, he let out a smallugh. "I''m not sure she''ll ept them. But like you said, it''s the thought that counts."

    Gorge''s smile faltered slightly, but he still waved a hand. "Of course. Go on, then." "Thank you, Gorge."

    With the gift bag in hand, Sky headed to the garage and drove off. Zachary called him around 11:00 am. By the time he arrived at the restaurant, it was almost

    noon.

    He figured Zachary must have left home right after the call.

    At exactly 11:50 am, Sky arrived at the Harborview Restaurant. Just as he parked

    and stepped out of the car, he looked up and saw Zachary and Sophia getting out

    of their car, parked just a few spaces away.

    Their eyes met.