Chapter 13: Unforseen Encounter

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The weekend getaway had arrived, and Sophia was bubbling with excitement. As she and Alexander drove through the winding roads toward the mountains, the lush greenery and crisp air rejuvenated her spirit. It felt like a new beginning, a much-needed escape from the shadows of her past. They laughed and shared stories, bonding over their shared experiences, and Sophia found herself more at ease with Alexander than she had ever anticipated.

After several hours, they finally arrived at Mountain Haven Lodge, a cozy retreat nestled in the woods. The lodge was warm and inviting, decorated with rustic charm and panoramic views of the mountains. As they checked in, Sophia couldn’t help but feel a thrill at the thought of spending this time away from the chaos of their lives.

After settling into their room, they decided to take a walk around the property. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape, and the air was filled with the scents of pine and wildflowers. They strolled hand in hand, feeling a sense of freedom and connection that had grown between them.

However, as they rounded a bend in the path, Sophia froze. There, sitting at a nearby table on the patio of the lodge, was Marcus, laughing and toasting glasses with Lila. The sight sent a wave of nausea through her stomach. The irony was palpable, she was here trying to escape her past, only to stumble upon it in the most unexpected way.

“Is that...?” Alexander started, noticing her sudden change in demeanor.

“Yeah,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s Marcus and Lila.”

Sophia felt a mix of anger and humiliation wash over her. She wanted to turn away, to retreat into the safety of their room, but Alexander gently squeezed her hand, grounding her. “Let’s go say hi,” he suggested, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Sophia shot him a look of disbelief. “Are you serious?”

“Why not? This could be fun,” he replied with a teasing smile. “Besides, I’d love to see the look on his face.”

Taking a deep breath, Sophia nodded. “Okay, let’s do it.”

As they approached the couple, Marcus’s laughter faded, and he turned to face them, his expression shifting from surprise to annoyance. Lila’s eyes widened as she recognized Sophia, and a smug smile crept across her face.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my little wife,” Marcus drawled, sarcasm lacing his voice. “Didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you’d be too busy wallowing in your pity.”

Sophia’s heart raced, but she forced a smile. “I could say the same about you. Looks like you’ve found a new distraction.”

“Just enjoying some time away,” Marcus retorted, trying to regain control of the conversation.

Alexander stepped forward, a confident presence beside Sophia. “Looks like you’ve upgraded, Marcus. But is this the type of relationship you were hoping for? One built on lies?”

Marcus’s face darkened. “Who the hell are you?”

“Just someone who cares about Sophia,” Alexander replied, his voice steady. “And judging by the way you’re looking at her, I’d say you’re not quite over her.”

Sophia watched as Marcus’s jealousy bubbled to the surface. Lila, sensing the tension, interjected. “Oh please, it’s pathetic. You should have thought about that before you divorced him,” she scoffed, glaring at Sophia.

“Actually, it’s quite liberating,” Sophia shot back, her confidence growing. “I’m finally free of all the drama and lies. I’m moving on.”

“Moving on?” Marcus echoed, disbelief etched across his face. “With him? You really think you can just replace me?”

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