Chapter 12 射 288 (Vouchers Chapter 12 Sophie was hovering now, not even wanting to see herself. As always, she curled up in the corner. Devoid of joy or sorrow. Until she saw Alexander standing before her again. Alexander looked utterly devastated. When his eyes met Sophie's, silent tears streamed down his face. Memories flooded him-each one making this outcome unbearable. He'd shielded Sophie her whole life, yet he'd personally pushed her into the abyss. When boys gave her love letters promising sports car rides if she dated them, he'd gifted her a garage full of luxury cars worth millions just for her to smash. When Sophie ran a fever, he'd abandoned crucial meetings abroad, flying thirteen hours straight to keep vigil at her bedside until dawn broke her fever. When cramps gripped her, he'd brew Herbal Remedy Drink himself, spoon-feeding her while murmuring comforts. He'd held her hand through amusement parks, bought her ice cream, ridden carousels beside her. These sealed memories now pummeled Alexander. He'd always believed Sophie's love for him was a mistake. Only after losing her did he realize he couldn't live without Sophie either. Ten years her senior, Sophie had been irresistibly adorable since childhood, always begging for hugs. Her soft little form had fueled his strength through grueling workdays-knowing Sophie waited made endurance pos- sible. He'd known this wasn't love. But seeing Sophie's vacant stare after Reformatory, restless fury consumed him nightly. Watching her endure lashes without a whimper-back crisscrossed with fresh welts over older scars, skin etched by endless torment-his heart had wrenched helplessly. Even now, holding Olivia, he still thought of Sophie. His Sophie used to whimper and wheedle at the slightest pain. Not lie cold before everyone as if dead. "Sophie, you must be freezing." 0.0% 12:39 Chapter 12 288 Vouchers Alexander lifted Sophie from the metal slab, cradling her against his chest. The cloth slipped, revealing unmaskable whip marks and purpling flesh. He couldn't bear to look. Gathering her close, he lay down beside her. Gently adjusting the cloth, he enveloped Sophie in his arms. "Don't be scared. I won't leave you alone." Alexander trembled visibly-the cold here surpassed human endurance. "Sophie, remember your coming-of-age gift?" Huddled in the corner, even if she could speak, Sophie couldn't recall. Her eighteenth birthday marked the beginning of her dreams and her nightmares. The Elite University admission letter she'd worked so hard for was torn to shreds. She entered Reformatory-the place that shattered her beyond recognition. Memories of everything else had faded, replaced by numbness that drowned all sweetness. "I prepared all properties under my name for you." "Not many, but scattered across different places." 11 "I thought... since you got into such a prestigious school, you'd eventually beg to travel. Sell what you dislike to fund your adventures." "I wanted you to have a lifetime of happiness." Alexander gently stroked Sophie's hair, his fingers combing through each strand as tenderness flooded his eyes. He even lowered his head, pressing a trembling kiss to her forehead. "My mistake." "I believed surrender would bring back our past." "Yet I turned you into this Sophie who can't complain or act coy." "Uncle was wrong." His gaze remained fixed on her face-her eyes, delicate nose, and lips now drained of color, turned ashen. Without hesitation, he kissed them. Sophie stared in disbelief as Alexander kissed her own corpse. What shocked her more: he held her ice-cold body through the entire night. 511% 12:39 1