No way home

Sophia’s POV 

I couldn’t believe Aiden had actually done this.  Staring at the divorce papers. 

I kept thinking there had to be some mistake. When had it gotten this bad? Did Aiden truly hate me that much? Had he really just used me all along or was there something else I was missing?

My hands shook as I fumbled for my phone, desperate to hear his voice to get some explanation to clear this nightmare. 

I dialed his number with trembling fingers, pressing the phone to my ear so hard it hurt. 

The automated message that  greeted me felt like another slap. “The number you have dialed is not reachable. Please try again later.” 

I tried three more times, each attempt was met with the same response. 

He blocked me. My own husband had blocked my number. 

I couldn’t believe this was really really happening. This couldn’t be my life. This couldn’t be the end of everything I believed in. The tears came again harder this time and I let them fall without trying to stop them. I cried until my chest ached, until my throat was raw. 

There was nothing left inside me, but emptiness. Memories flooded back of how everything started. The first time I saw Aiden in his hospital bed, broken and vulnerable.

I thought about everything I’d given up for him. My family respects. The Hale empire inheritance. My chance to be something more than just a girl running a small charity. I’d thrown it all away because I believed what we had was real love. 

And now? Where was I supposed to start from? How do you rebuild your life when you’ve lost everything that mattered?

The next morning came too soon. I barely slept most of the night alternating between crying and staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t stay in Aiden‘s house.  The humiliation of being here when he returned would be unbearable, he made it obvious he didn’t want me in his life anymore. 

I packed my clothes into two large suitcases taking only what I brought into the marriage. Everything else, the jewelry he’d given me, the dresses, I left everything behind. 

The drive to my parents’ house felt like forever. 

I pulled my car up to the front entrance and sat there for a moment, trying to gather the courage to face everything waiting for me. My hand gripped the steering wheel as I stared at the front door, remembering the last time I walked out of this house, the angry words I had thrown at my parents when they tried to talk me out of not moving out, the way I’d shown them that I never needed them again. 

Now here I was, with nowhere else to go. 

I grabbed my suitcases from the trunk and walked slowly toward the front door. Before I could even knock on the door, It swung open. 

Elena stood there, my younger sister, looking every inch of what I was not. 

She looked at me, then at my suitcase and she laughed, actually laughed, and then rolled her eyes. 

“What brings you here, Sophia? And with luggage? The last time you left this house, you swore you’d never come back, said you didn’t need us anymore, if I remember correctly.”

The humiliation hit me like a physical blow, but I tried to hold it back. “Please, Elena,  I would like to be alone for a while. Can we not do this right now?”

“Oh, but I’m curious.” She continued, clearly enjoying every moment of discomfort. “Has your charity finally collapsed? Did you finally realize that playing do-good wasn’t going to make you rich and famous?”

I ignored her trying to step in but Elena wasn’t finished. She pushed me back and I staggered with my luggage nearly falling. 

“Unfortunately, dear sister. You won’t be getting a chance to come crawling back home.” Her smile turned cruel. “Father and mother gave a very specific order about you after your dramatic exit. You’re not welcome here anymore.”

I felt like someone punched me in the stomach.  “Please….”

“Sophia? Is that you?” Familiar voice cut through my words. 

I turned to see both my parents approaching from inside the house. My father, looked exactly as always. And when he glared at me from head to toes, there was no flicker of pity. 

“Sophia.” My mother says, her voice carefully controlled. “What are you doing here?”

The word stuck in my throat. How could I explain that my marriage had fallen apart? That the man I’d chosen over them had thrown me away like garbage?

“I…” I started, but the words stuck in my throat.

“You made your choice when you left this house, you told us that  you didn’t need our money, our connections, or our family. You said your charity work was more important than the legacy we built.” My father finally spoke his voice cold and dismissive voice

 “I…know what I said… but….”

“But nothing!”  He cut me off. 

“You can’t just come running back when things don’t work out the way you plan.” My mother stepped closer and for a moment, I thought she might show some maternal compassion but instead her words cut deeper. 

“You told us you didn’t need us, you made that very clear when you walked out that door.”

“Aren’t you even worried about why I’m back?” I asked desperately, “Aren’t you curious what happened?”

My mother's expression, soft, and she asked, “Why? What happened?”

But how could I tell them? They didn’t even know I’d married. I’ve been so angry when I left, so determined to prove I could build my own life without their help that I’ve never told them about Aiden. How could I explain that I was back because my secret husband had divorced me?

I stood there in silence, unable to form the words that would explain my situation without revealing how I’d completely failed.  When I didn’t answer, my mother‘s brief moment of concern faded away.  

“If you’re not going to tell us what’s wrong then there’s nothing we can do to help you.”  She said They turned to Elena, “Come inside, dear. We have a board meeting to prepare for.”

Elena‘s smile, triumphant as she looked back at me. “You should probably head back to your charity, Sophia, even if our mother and father were inclined to forgive you…. I wouldn’t let that happen. I’m the CEO now and I’ve worked too hard to get here. I won’t let you snatch that from me.”

“The CEO?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. 

“That’s right.”  Elena said her voice full of pride and malice, “Someone had to step up and take responsibility for the family business when you decided to go play with the poor people and I’ve done a damn good job of it too.”