Sophie's Life

Chapter 53: The Shock

**The Sudden Change**

The funeral was overwhelming. A blur of tears, comforting whispers, and the scent of lilies. My mother was gone. I kept telling myself that, but it didn't feel real. It couldn't feel real. The one person who had supported every dream I ever had, especially my modeling career, was no longer there to tell me it would be okay.  

I could still hear her voice in my head, urging me to chase my dreams, to never stop believing in myself. But now, those dreams felt distant. The runway, the photoshoots, the world of glamour I had worked so hard to be a part of—it all seemed insignificant now.

James showed up, of course. He was always there when the world felt too heavy to carry. As much as I hated how complicated everything was with him, I couldn't deny that he'd always been there in moments like this. He stood by me now, quietly, his usual arrogance replaced by a softness I hadn't expected. 

"Sophie," he said, his voice thick with genuine concern. "I'm so sorry about your mom. If you need anything—anything at all..."

"I'm fine," I muttered, though my voice cracked, betraying me.

"I know you're not," he whispered, stepping closer, but not touching me. "I know you don't want to talk about it, but I'm here."

Before I could respond, I saw Abby in the distance. She was standing by herself, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Abby, my childhood friend, the one who knew me better than anyone else. We hadn't spoken much lately, not since the drama with Daniel and James had consumed most of my life, but I could see the familiar concern in her eyes. The way she always looked out for me, like she had since we were kids.

"Hey," I whispered, excusing myself from James. I walked over to Abby, and she immediately wrapped her arms around me. It was like being enveloped by home. I had forgotten what it felt like to just have someone who understood me without the complicated history.

"I'm so sorry," she said softly, pulling away but still holding my shoulders. "I've been meaning to check in on you more. I know this is hard."

I nodded, tears welling up again. "I don't even know how to process it, Abs. I don't even know where to start."

"You don't have to," she replied gently, wiping a stray tear from my cheek. "We'll get through it, together. You don't have to face any of this alone.."

The funeral had been a blur, but now, at the wake, things felt even heavier. Everyone had their eyes on me, as if waiting for me to break, to show them my vulnerability. But I couldn't. Not yet. 

James and Daniel were at opposite ends of the room, both of them glancing over at me, their expressions unreadable. They had been part of my life for so long, but now, it was like everything was shifting beneath my feet.

"I hate this," I muttered, not realizing I had said it out loud.

Abby, standing next to me, raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"This whole thing. James, Daniel, this constant push and pull. I don't know who I am anymore, Abs. I don't know what I want."