Chapter 17 - Sophie's Choice
A year after Thailand, Sophie asked to return there.
I thought I had misheard.
“Thailand?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want that morning to own the whole country.”
I understood immediately.
We planned carefully.
No secrets.
No surprises.
Marcus came too, although he pretended the trip was purely vacation.
When we arrived at the resort, Maya recognized me.
Her eyes widened.
“Mrs. Vance?”
“Not anymore.”
She smiled.
“Vanessa.”
I hugged her.
Sophie stood nervously behind me.
“This is Sophie.”
Maya's expression softened.
“The daughter.”
Sophie nodded.
We returned to the same villa.
At first, I wondered whether that had been a mistake.
The polished floor.
The glass doors.
The view.
Everything carried echoes.
I saw myself kneeling beside an empty suitcase.
I heard the telephone ringing.
I remembered Daniel’s note.
Then Sophie opened the balcony doors.
Ocean air rushed inside.
“Come on.”
We walked outside.
No one mentioned the past for several minutes.
Then Sophie said, “I wrote something.”
She handed me a folded note.
I hesitated deliberately.
She laughed.
“It's a good one.”
I opened it.
Let’s see where we go next.
I laughed so hard I cried.
Marcus looked confused.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Sophie and I walked toward the beach.
May you like
Behind us, the villa remained open.
Ahead of us, the ocean stretched farther than either of us could see.
