Three Years Wasted I Married Mr. Right novel Chapter 168

Richard tilted his head slightly, his gaze lingered on her, deep and thoughtful. “What are you thinking about?”

Sophia shook her head softly. “Nothing really. Just thinking how sometimes fate works in mysterious ways.”

Seven years ago, he rescued her from the ruins. She could only make out the blurry outline of his features before he shielded her eyes.

When she woke up, she mistook Lucas for her savior and held onto that belief, cherishing him in her heart for four years.

Looking back, fate really had a twisted sense of humor.

Richard’s long legs barely fit as he sat, looking almost comically cramped on the tiny folding stool.

He said, “Back then, the site you were trapped in was one of the rescue team’s top priorities. Some of the country’s most valuable scientists were buried down there–that would have been a tremendous loss.

“There were so many moments when the rescue team was ready to call it quits, but the captain refused to let anyone give up. I was right there, too, heart in my throat, unable to think about leaving.

“On the seventh day, the search equipment finally picked up a faint sign of life under the rubble. Everyone’s spirits soared, and we dug with everything we had until we finally pulled you out.

“You were barely breathing, but you still forced your eyes open and looked right at me. Even now, the way you looked at me in that moment is burned into my memory.”

Richard held her gaze, his eyes quietly searching hers, full of unsaid emotion.

“You were pleading for me to save anyone still trapped beneath the ruins. But in reality, you were the only survivor from the entire research base,” he said softly.

Natural disasters and tragedies were always merciless.

Sophia lifted her gaze, watching people bustle back and forth in the relief area. Now and then, someone would stagger by, hauling a survivor just dragged out from the wreckage.

The air reeked of blood, and the sight was so brutal it made people want to look away.

It was all just like it had been seven years ago.

“I know,” Sophia said, her voice trembling with grief. “My mentor held on until the very last moment. He begged me to survive… to look after his daughter.”

Sophia felt sorrow crushing her chest as she stared at the horrific sight before her, the scene merging and blurring with the memories from seven years ago.

For a split second, she wondered if she was still trapped in the nightmare of that earthquake all those years ago, caught in the past and unable to break free.

She thought, Otherwise, why does this nightmare always come back to haunt me?‘

Richard saw the sadness wrapped around her like a shroud. He reached out, wanting nothing more than to pull her into a comforting embrace, but hesitated for a moment and let his hand drop back down.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” Richard said gently. “If they are watching from above, I’m sure they’re hoping you’ll find the strength to move forward.”

Sophia nodded gently. “Yeah.”

As the sky grew darker, rescue operations continued. Sophia and the others each received a can of milk and two pieces of bread.

Annabelle showed up with her provisions in her arms, and Richard handed her his folding stool. “I’m going to see if the rescue team could use some help,” he said.

As soon as Richard walked away, Annabelle grabbed her folding stool and sat down next to Sophia, giving her a gentle nudge with her shoulder.

“Sophie, what were you two talking about just now?” Annabelle asked, leaning in with playful curiosity.

Sophia remembered how Annabelle once guessed that maybe it wasn’t Lucas who saved her after all. She reached out and tapped Annabelle right on the forehead, a playful grin on her face.

“Annabelle, you seriously have a sixth sense!” Sophia teased.

Annabelle’s eyes lit up as she leaned in even closer. “Come on, spill–did Uncle Richard confess his feelings to you or something?”

Sophia pushed her head away, grinning, “Quit it, as if Mr. Sterling would ever fall for someone like me.”

“Why not?” Annabelle shot back, eyes wide in disbelief.

Sophia gave a little laugh, almost self–mocking. “I’ve been married, had a miscarriage, and I’m still not even divorced. It’s not like he can’t see all that.”

Let’s be real–guys with status always want those pretty, pure young girls.‘ Sophia thought to herself.

Annabelle rolled her eyes. “Sophie, come on, that kind of old–fashioned thinking is so dead. Who even cares about all that stuff anymore? For us modern girls, if the vibe is right, that’s all that matters.”