Sonia exhaled sharply.
Without giving her a chance to comment, Kelvin turned on the ignition and slowly pulled away from the compound.
He had to give her time—to process everything, to steady herself, to understand what she was about to walk into.
For Sonia, the name in her hand was the least of her worries.
What unsettled her more was the relentless pounding of her heart against her chest.
She couldn’t tell if it was fear… or anticipation.
Several times, she lifted her hand and pressed it lightly against her chest, hoping to calm the erratic rhythm.
But it refused to settle.
Before long, the SUV rolled to a slow stop in front of the Hort family estate.
The gates were wide open.
Several cars pulled in at the same time—each one more luxurious than the last, their polished bodies gleaming under the muted daylight.
Sonia’s fingers tightened slightly around the identity card resting on her lap.
“I’m driving in,” Kelvin said.
Without waiting for a response, he stepped on the gas and drove through the gates, following the long driveway before stopping at the foot of the grand staircase.
He turned off the ignition and glanced at her.
“We’re here.” He said softly.
Sonia swallowed.
Her gaze drifted toward the tinted window.
Through it, she could make out the gathered crowd—everyone dressed in black.
It was clear they had all come to pay their respect to the deceased Sonia.
Her lips curled up in a bitter smile.
It was quite ridiculous how she had to be honored in her death yet for the past four years of her marriage had been a painful tale.
To a few friends that knew about her existence, she was Alex’s loved wife, protected and sheltered by him out of the public’s eyes.
But no one knew the truth.
And only a handful of people knew she was Alex Hort’s wife and for some they never knew he was married.
One of those days had been during the Sun City Elite’s gala night, Lady Monica had insisted he take her with him and let her socialize.
With the odds against him, Alex had reluctantly let her go with him.
But when they arrived, the introduction was what she never wished to remember and she really regretted going with him.
On her return, Sonia had complained to Cyndi asking if it was right but she only laughed and told her not to take it to heart.
That men sometimes could be unpredictable especially when in a bad mood.
Sonia had believed her.
Knowing Alex as cold in nature who would have thought…
She shook her head.
She had really been too blind to see.
She turned her gaze towards Kelvin who had been silent since he stopped, his fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel.
She understood it all.
He was waiting.
Waiting for her to gather herself, to take the first step once she is ready.
Sonia drew in a deep breath.
“I’m ready,” she said softly, then corrected herself, her tone steadier.
“Let’s go in.”
She held out the card to him.
“Keep this. I’ll take it back later.”
Kelvin nodded and took the card from her, placed it in the compartment and locked it.
With a soft click the door opened and Kelvin stepped down, he walked around the car and opened the door for her.
Sonia stepped out gracefully.
Her movements were calm, refined—almost regal.
A few people nearby paused, their gazes lingering on her longer than necessary while some felt she was familiar…others thought she was just a distant relative.
“Thank you.” She muttered.
Her gaze swept across the compound and as usual, it was well trimmed and magnificent.
She sighed.
Though she lived out with Alex, she still returned once every week for the family dinner.
Yet today… Everything felt unfamiliar.
Cars lined the entrance in a perfect row of luxury vehicles, polished, expensive.
People moved in quiet clusters.
Some whispering.
Some solemn.
Some probably…pretending.
Or perhaps they were here for something else entirely.
A business opportunity.
A chance to gain favor with the Hort family matriarch.
After all, rumors had always claimed she deeply valued her secret daughter-in-law.
Her lips curled faintly.
Kelvin stretched his hand out to her, Sonia’s gaze lingered on his hand, a mix of emotion flooded her chest.
She placed her hand in his and together they walked up the staircase.
They stepped into the sitting room.
The air was heavy despite the scent of flowers that lingered in the air.
A maid stepped forward.
“Welcome, Mr. Thorne.” Kelvin gave a slight nod.
With a respectful gesture, the maid led them through the sitting room and into the main hall.
Alex stood at the head of the casket.
His gaze was fixed on the body inside.
Her hands rested gently over her stomach, as though she were merely asleep.
Sonia’s portrait stood at the foot of the casket.
She looked elegant and beautiful.
Hearing footsteps approach him, he lifted his head and for a moment he forgot to breathe.
“Mr. Hort, our condolences.” Sonia smirked as they stopped beside him.
Her eyes twinkled with amusement.
Her gaze drifted between Alex and the casket, an ironic smile curled her lips.
She couldn’t help but wonder what effort he must have made to stand beside this body when he had always wanted her dead.
Did he really feel sad?
Was it just a show for people to see?
Or was it because his grandmother never gave him the chance to shy away?
No matter how she thought about it, Sonia could only convince herself that Alex Hort was just playing the grieving husband.
But Alex saw something entirely different.
He only saw the innocence behind the smile.
The familiarity and the resemblance which was too uncanny to ignore.
As if the woman beside him… and the woman in the casket… were reflections of the same person.
Kelvin patted his back.
“Sorry for the loss.”
But it was as though he never heard him.
His gaze was still locked on the lady beside him.
Kelvin’s brow furrowed, his eyes darted between Alex and Sonia for a moment.
“Alex, are you okay?” Kelvin asked, snapping him out of his daze.
Alex swallowed as he withdrew his gaze.
“Sorry, I stared too long.” He muttered.
“But I just think she felt familiar.”
“Ohh! Her name is Sonia…” Kelvin began, Alex head snapped up to meet his gaze.
“Sonia…” he repeated under his breath.
Kelvin nodded.
“Sonia Young. My girlfriend.”
Alex’s heart fell like a cold water had just been poured down on his head.
He didn’t know why he had reacted so strongly to the name and the presence of the lady.
Giving it a deep thought he felt he saw a few similarities of Sonia on her.
Was it a coincidence?
Or… was it just his mind playing tricks on him?
For one, that voice was always clear and vivid and since Sonia’s death, it seemed everything about her became magnified that he felt her presence in every little thing.
He stared at her again before he closed his eyes and when he opened them again…he was calmer.
“Please make yourself comfortable, the procession will soon begin.” He said calmly despite the storm in his heart.