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Story: Lela's Choice

“It’s not a fiasco. It was my idea, then Peter said he’d come to keep an eye on me. Lots of kids at school take a gap year before university.”

“Lots of kids discuss that with their families and go with their full support.”

“You’d refuse that too.” Sophie folded her arms and slumped back in her chair.

“Why?”

“Because apart from your little foundation, I’m all you’ve got in your life.”

Lela closed her eyes, swallowed her anger, and prayed for an answer to come.Why did I ask for fifteen minutes on my own?What stupidity had made her think Sophie might want or need to talk to her first, that she could influence this confident, assertive—to be blunt—selfish young woman.

“I have friends, family, and while it is a ‘little’ foundation now, with work I can make it grow. Making a difference is important to me.”

“I’m not going home,” Sophie announced.

Hamish, more clear-sighted than Lela, had considered this possibility. His warning allowed her to remain composed while her body turned to ice.Sophie believes I’m cold, not composed.The betrayal was a body blow.

Before Hamish had planted that seed, it had never occurred to her Sophie wouldn’t return to Australia with her. A few days in Malta working out how and when she’d see Peter again, but her gut insisted Sophie’s home was in Sydney.

Stupid, stupid. Or had the shackles Lela had accepted for herself turned her into the selfish woman, clinging to her niece rather than setting her free? Sophie knew no doubt, her belief in her invincibility sparkled.

“I haven’t decided how long. Maybe I’ll take a few months. Peter and his family take on extra staff over summer to help with the business. I could learn to speak Malti properly.”

“That will please Nannu.” Lela heard the sarcasm in her response, and blamed herself for not seeing the full shape of the problem.

“I wouldn’t be doing it to please Nannu.”

“Papa knows Mariella Debrincat.” Her niece needed all the facts to make any decision. “She was a friend of Mama’s. Papa was spooked by Peter’s name. He made a mistake, Sophie. Driven by desperation that he might lose you. He was wrong, but it can’t cancel out a lifetime of loving you. He’s devastated that you ran away.”

“Only because I thwarted his will.” Sophie pouted. “And you still plead his case, even though his treatment of you is unforgivable.”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” Lela had failed if Sophie saw her as a victim.

“He’s held you hostage to my mother’s so-called mistake all these years. He’s condemned you to a cold, lonely life. You’ve never had a proper relationship,” Sophie cried. “I won’t—I can’t live like that, shackled, unloved, unlovable.”

Lela pressed a hand to her belly. Sophie’s verbal gut punch squeezed all the air out of her, making breathing difficult. The few men she’d allowed to get close had delivered similar insults, but her niece’s condemnation carried lethal power. Sophie was voicing Lela’s deepest fear. That while she’d have immediate family, she’d never have someone of her own—unloved, unlovable, always alone.

* * *

“MAY I COME IN?” HAMISHhad caught the last few sentences, but the devastation in Lela’s eyes told him more. Rage flooded him at her niece’s unthinking callousness. Lela had put her life on hold to ensure Sophie had the freedom to grow and challenge the world. Sophie didn’t live in fear because Lela had refused to allow it.

“Who are you?” Sophie demanded.

“Hamish MacGregor. Your grandfather employed my company to find you.”

The girl looked from one to the other. “Then who found me?”

“We both did.” Lela met her niece’s accusing gaze.

“And will Nannu be coming through the door next to drag me home?” Sophie rose to her feet, an unattractive half-sneer on her face. “Peter and I will run again.”

“Poor Peter,” Lela murmured.

“My turn, Lela. Why don’t you go back out into the sunshine, and we’ll join you after we’ve had a chat?”