All Chapters of Countdown to Goodbye: You Can Burn Now: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Sophia stood in the foyer, her gaze lingering on the familiar objects as she silently said her goodbyes. Then, she picked up the suitcase she'd packed long ago and took a cab to the suburbs.She looked around at the desolate place, which was empty save for her.Her phone buzzed with a call from Kevin. "Sophia, are you there yet?""I just got here," she answered.He paused at her confirmation as if wanting to say something. But in the end, he changed his mind. "I got held up, but wait for me, okay? Mason and I will be there soon. I've got something important to tell you…""Alright," she said simply.As they spoke, Mason's voice echoed faintly on the other end of the line. "Ms. Sloan, don't be scared. Daddy and I are here for you. No bad guy is going to show up."Ms. Sloan? Were they with Christina?The call cut off abruptly before Sophia could say anything.With only an hour left until midnight, she told herself that she would wait a bit longer. She was leaving soon, so this wo

Back in the car, Kevin's eyelid twitched, the nagging sense of unease still gnawing at him. After some thought, he pulled out his phone and sent Sophia a text."Sophia, don't be mad. Something came up last night. Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll make it up to you for missing your birthday."As expected, the message sank into the void. He didn't receive a reply.His expression darkened, and he sent another. "Didn't you always want to take that trip to Aldenia with me and Mason? When the time is right, we'll go wherever you want."Unfortunately for him, Sophia had already canceled her phone number. Otherwise, she would've laughed bitterly upon reading the messages.See? Some people knew exactly what others wanted. They just didn't care enough to do it.…A plane glided to a stop on the Rovendale Airport tarmac at noon.Sophia followed the bustling crowd to the arrival hall, pulling her suitcase with her. She looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, closed her eyes,

Russell instinctively adjusted his glasses. Behind them, a fleeting hint of admiration glinted in his eyes. Sophia was even more intriguing than he'd imagined.A wan voice broke the moment. "Russell, I'm sorry for causing you trouble again."The doctor had bandaged Cecily's wound, but her face was still ashen.Russell hurried to her side, his voice soft and reassuring as he said, "Don't be silly. You're just sick. I've brought a therapist to help you."Sophia stepped forward. "Hello, Ms. Hamilton."Cecily smiled faintly and nodded. "Dr. Jensen, you can just call me Cecily."She was born a gentle soul, which was precisely why she'd been vulnerable to that toxic guy's manipulation. Even during her episodes, she didn't lash out at others. She only hurt herself.Sophia sighed. "Cecily, for the time being, I'll be using hypnosis therapy to help you break free from that person's hold.""I understand," Cecily said, cooperative and trusting.Russell wanted to stay, but a work call pul

Kevin's mind went blank, completely at a loss for where to even begin looking for Sophia. Then, a name flashed in his head—Erin, Sophia's best friend. She would know where Sophia had gone.He shot to his feet, not even noticing the cigarette ash that had gotten onto his shirt. He bolted out the door and hopped into his car. He gripped the steering wheel and floored the gas, racing toward Erin's place from memory.Half an hour later, a doorbell chimed.Erin, expecting her takeout, opened the door. She was taken aback at the sight of Kevin. She'd never seen him like this—his hair was a mess, his eyes were bloodshot, and his shirt was smudged with ash. He'd never looked more disheveled.He pushed past her and strode inside, his voice hoarse as he cried, "Sophia, I know you're here. If you like cats, we can have one at home. If you don't like Christina, I'll cut ties with her in the future. Just come home with me, and we can work this out. Or come out so we can talk!"He searched fran

Kevin stared at the contents of the box for what felt like forever, his breathing growing labored. Finally, he stumbled back to the living room and collapsed onto the couch, feeling drained.The sprawling villa was eerily quiet. He had never noticed how empty it could feel before, but now, the silence was agonizing. He thought about all the countless days and nights Sophia had spent sitting in this house, waiting for him and Mason to return home.Before he knew it, the night faded, and the first rays of morning light spilled into the room.Kevin's eyes were bloodshot after staying up all night without realizing it. The ashtray overflowed with cigarette butts.Suddenly, a noise at the door broke the oppressive stillness."Kev, what happened to you?" Christina opened the door and froze at the sight of him looking so disheveled and wrecked.She subtly scanned the room, noticing its barren state and Sophia's absence. It didn't take long for her to put two and two together.Finally!