Chapter 57

Sophia didn’t recognize Alexander, but she recognized Charlotte. "Excuse me," Sophia said politely.

Alexander and Charlotte blocked her path. She sidestepped them and approached the counter, speaking to the cashier.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Wilson called me multiple times. I… I’m here today to return the money for the camera."

The cashier’s eyes brightened. "Miss, your last name?"

"Montgomery. Sophia Montgomery. I rented a digital camera worth fifteen hundred dollars from you four days ago. I’m here to pay for it… the full amount." Sophia repeated, her voice steady despite the nerves.

"Miss Montgomery!" The cashier perked up. "Wait here—our manager has been looking for you."

Sophia froze.

She knew she was three days late. Had she breached the contract?

But it didn’t matter. She had three thousand dollars today—double the amount. Surely that would cover it.

Thinking of the money, her heart warmed with gratitude toward Liam.

He had handed her a thick wad of cash without hesitation. When she counted it later, it was over three grand.

Now, she stood quietly in the lobby of Prime Lens Rentals, waiting for Mr. Wilson. Ahead of her, Alexander and Charlotte watched her with unreadable expressions.

Sophia shouldn’t recognize Alexander. And honestly, she barely did.

They had only crossed paths once—at Blackwood Manor. He had swapped numbers with her, but she had been in a rush, distracted, and barely registered him.

It was better this way—pretending they were strangers.

But then Alexander stepped forward, his tone polite yet probing. "Miss Montgomery, you don’t remember me?"

Sophia offered a faint, distant smile. "My apologies, Mr. Kensington. I was… rather presumptuous at the Blackwood family banquet. I owe you an apology."

Before Alexander could respond, a man in his thirties emerged from the back office. The moment he spotted Sophia, he exclaimed, "Ah! Miss Montgomery! You’re finally here!"

Sophia spun around, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Mr. Wilson, I’m so sorry! I need to apologize—I rented your camera, but I… I lost it. The deposit was fifteen hundred. I gave you my ID and my word. You trusted me, and I failed. It took me three days to gather the money. I know I’m late, so please—take the full three thousand. Deduct whatever fees you need. Is that acceptable? I… I’m truly sorry."

She braced herself for his anger.

She had ignored his calls, hanging up before he could speak. Now, she could only hope he’d let this go.

But Mr. Wilson chuckled. "Miss Montgomery, you kept hanging up before I could explain. Do you know why I called? You rented that camera, but you left in such a hurry—you never actually took it."

Sophia blinked. "What?"

"I called twice to tell you. But you kept cutting me off."

"You mean… the camera wasn’t lost? I never had it?" Her eyes widened, then softened with relief. A pure, disbelieving smile spread across her face.

That changed everything.