Chapter 45

Things start to go back to normal after Sophia comes back home. The next day, Donnie and I take Sophia to see Christian.

I hold Sophia close as Donnie and I enter the visitor"s room of the prison. Christian is already seated and waiting for us.

"Christian," I say softly.

When Christian turns around, Sophia lets out a happy squeal when she sees her daddy.

Christian"s eyes widen, and he falls to his knees. His breath catches in his throat. Disbelief mingles on his face with overwhelming love and relief when he sees Sophia.

Tears well up in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks as he struggles to find his voice. "Sophia... my baby girl..." Christian"s voice cracks.

"She"s safe, Christian. We found her," I tell him. My own eyes filled with tears.

Christian could hardly believe it. For one week, we had feared the worst, tortured by the uncertainty of our daughter"s fate. But now, that fear has vanished.

I close the distance between us until Christian is right in front of me. He rises to his feet and faces Donnie. Meeting Donnie"s gaze, Christian nods in respect.

Then Christian turns to me and reaches out to his daughter with trembling hands, and she falls into him. "I thought... I thought I"d lost her forever."

"You didn"t," I reassure him, my voice filled with compassion.

Standing silently by my side, Donnie"s arms wrap around my shoulder. Christian notices the gesture. "Thank you for loving my daughter as your own and taking care of la Reina the way she should have always been treated."

"No thanks necessary," he says with a gentle smile. He looks at me with an affectionate gaze before returning his attention to Christian. "Sophia deserves to have men in her life to protect her, love her, and keep her safe. That includes you."

Christian"s eyes are filled with gratitude. "Thank you."

Christian tenderly embraces Sophia and plants sweet kisses on her tiny face. Sophia"s infectious laughter fills the air as she playfully grabs Christian"s face with her little hands and plants a wet kiss on his cheek.

"I love you, Sophia," Christian whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "I will do everything in my power to be the father you deserve."

Eva was the one behind the attacks.

Eva ran over Payton and killing her in the process.

Eva shot her brother.

I would never had thought it could be her.

Donnie was as shocked as I was.

Javi told me that Eva was killed by his own hand. I know it's not easy taking a life, even if that person deserved it or it was for self-defense. Gabby says he's taking it one day at a time and has managed to see a therapist after the shooting.

Javi explained the reasons behind Eva's obsession with Donnie. And here I thought it was Payton. I just hope that that horrible day won't seep into Sophia's memory when she gets older. I'll just have to keep a close eye on her.

I finally pull up to Jake's house. Javi told me that he was innocent and was ready to give up his life to get Sophia back to me. He almost did after being shot and left for dead by his own sister. When he told me that Jake was released from the hospital and back at home, I knew I had to see him to thank him. Even though those two words won't be enough for risking his life, it's a start. I climb out of the car and open Sophia's door and unbuckle her and pull her into my arms.

"Ready to see the hero who saved your life?" I coax, and she claps her hands in response with a broad smile.

I walk up the step to his house and ring the doorbell. After a few minutes, the door opens and he appears.

"Sadie?" he says like he's shocked to see me.

"Hey," I say. "How are you?" I ask, hiking Sophia higher on my hip. When Jake sees the movement, he opens the screen door. "Please, come in."

With a grateful smile, I enter his home and automatically feel welcome. I glance around the room and notice how decorative it is for a guy.

He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. "My ex loved flowers," he says sheepishly as he looks around. "I've been meaning to get rid of it all."

I laugh.

"Please, sit," he directs me to the living room. I sit on the couch, setting Sophia on my lap while Jake sits across from me.

We stay silent for a minute, trying to move past the awkwardness. Then he speaks. "How is she?" he says, looking at Sophia.

I glance down at Sophia, who's got her fist in her mouth. "She's good," I say with a smile, then look up at him. "Because of you."

He shakes his head. "I didn't do anything, Sadie. I'm not a hero."

"Yes, you are. You risked your life to save her. You almost died, Jake. I can't thank you enough. No words can express my gratitude for what you did."

"I would do it all over again," he says with determination.

I nod. "I know. And I'm so sorry about your sister," I say with sympathy.

Even though she was batshit crazy, he lost a sibling who didn't start her life as an obsessive sociopath.

He looks down at his hands. "Yeah, thanks."

We don't say a word, processing the feelings until my little girl decides to slide off my lap and waddles like a penguin toward him. Jake's eyes grow larger, and a subtle grin forms on his lips.

Sophia starts to babble like she's trying to talk to him. She rests her hands on his knees and looks up and continues to babble happily. He smiles down at her with adoration. She opens her arms for him to take her. My girl is not shy, especially when it comes to men. I don't know how I feel about that. Donnie teases that she's going to be a handful.

Jake accepts her and pulls her against his chest and hugs her. He shuts his eyes and soaks in her comfort.

I give them a moment, and then he looks up at me. "Thank you," he mouths, and his eyes glaze over with tears.

My lips curl up in the corners, and I give him a nod.

At least I can give him a little peace from knowing that the little girl in his arms is the one he saved and that he gave me my heart back. He will never know what that means to me, and I hope one day I can repay him.