CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70 SOPHIE? IS IT REALLY YOU?

Ryan’s POV

I watched the sunset paint the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks as I walked along the beach, my mind consumed with plans for Serena.

These past days with her had been transformative. The walls she built after our divorce were finally crumbling, and I wanted to create something special to celebrate this new beginning.

My fingers touched the small velvet box in my pocket.

Not an engagement ring—we weren’t ready for that yet—but a custom-designed pendant that symbolized our journey.

A crescent moon cradling a small star, representing her and our child. The jeweler had rushed it specially for me, and I couldn’t wait to see her face when she opened it.

I’d arranged for a private dinner on the beach, with lanterns strung up and her favorite foods prepared. Everything had to be perfect.

For once in my life, I wanted to do something purely for her happiness, not mine.

The sound came suddenly—a desperate cry cutting through the peaceful evening air.

"Help! Please help me!"

I turned toward the ocean, squinting against the fading light. Someone was thrashing in the water, arms flailing against the waves.

Damn it. I glanced back toward the resort where Serena was resting, then at the struggling figure in the water.

No choice. I couldn’t ignore someone drowning.

I sprinted into the surf, pushing against the resistance of the water.

The waves were stronger than they appeared, slapping against my chest as I swam toward the panicking woman.

When I reached her, I wrapped my arm around her waist and began pulling her toward shore, fighting the current all the way.

By the time we reached the beach, I was breathing heavily. I gently laid the woman on the sand, and only then, in the soft glow of the beach lamps, did I get a clear look at her face.

My heart nearly stopped.

"Sophie?" The name left my lips as a strangled whisper. It couldn’t be possible. My mind had to be playing tricks on me.

But it wasn’t. The woman lying before me—wet hair splayed across the sand, white dress clinging to her body—was unmistakably Sophie Hart.

My first love. The woman whose death had haunted me for years.

A storm of emotions crashed through me. Confusion.

Disbelief. Shock. The Sophie I knew had been buried—well, not her body, since they never found it after the mudslide.

Her grave contained only symbolic possessions. I’d searched for weeks, hired private investigators, scoured hospitals and morgues. Nothing. Eventually, I’d accepted the impossible truth that she was gone forever.

Yet here she was, lying in my arms, eyes closed.

After a few seconds, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing those hazel eyes I once thought I’d never see again. They were misty, vulnerable—exactly as I remembered from the first time we met.

"Sophie? Is it really you? Or am I dreaming?" My voice came out barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might shatter this impossible moment.

Her eyes immediately welled with tears. Her hand reached up, trembling as she touched my cheek.

"Ryan? Is it you? Am I dreaming?" Her voice broke. "I’ve missed you so much."

That soft sigh hit me like a physical force, stirring memories I’d long buried.

"It’s really you? You’re not dead?" My brow furrowed as my tone shifted abruptly.

Sophie looked startled for a moment before dissolving into tears.

"I can’t believe I’m seeing you again, Ryan," she sobbed. "I missed you so much. I thought I’d never see you again in this lifetime."

"This isn’t possible," I said quietly. "You... you died. They never found your body, but—God, Sophie, I mourned you for years."

Her eyes glistened with tears. "I survived, but lost my memory. A man found me and took me to a small island. A kind family took me in. It’s only recently that I’ve remembered who I am."

The words flowed too smoothly from her lips. Something tightened in my chest, but it wasn’t the joy I might have expected years ago.

"When did you remember?" I asked carefully.

"Only recently," she leaned against me, her voice catching. "Images started coming back—your face, our love. When I finally remembered everything, I knew I had to find you."

"How did you know I’d be here?"My question hung in the air.

For a heartbeat, she froze. Her gaze darted away, her lips trembled as she whispered,"I didn’t know. I was just... here on vacation. Pure chance."

"You need medical attention," I said, standing and gently helping Sophie to her feet. "You nearly drowned."

She clung to me tightly. "I feel fine now that I’ve found you. Thoughts of you kept me going all these years."

I stepped back, creating distance between us. "Sophie, it’s been five years. Things have changed."

Her gaze deliberately fell to her soaked dress, her voice husky. "Some things never change. What we had was special."

Special. Perhaps it was, once. But now my heart belonged entirely to Serena.

"Let me help you to the resort medical center," I said firmly, offering my arm for support but keeping proper distance.

As we walked, Sophie suddenly stumbled. "Ow!" she cried out, collapsing against my chest. "My ankle—I think I twisted it."

I instinctively caught her, my hands automatically steadying her waist. And that’s when I heard it—a sharp intake of breath that wasn’t Sophie’s.

I looked up to see Serena standing just a few yards away, her eyes wide with hurt and confusion.

Damn it. This was going to be a mess to explain.