Today the past had come to haunt Sophia.

Sophia's mother, Nova Sterling, came from an affluent family. She had lost her mother at an early age. But thankfully, her father and older brother had pampered and shielded her from the realities of the real world. So she had longed for nothing.

She was a beauty like no other, but none of her suitors caught her attention.

Austin Collins was an orphan who went to the same university as Nova, but unlike her who's schooling was fully funded by her father. Austin survived on scholarships and grants combined with hard work.

Nova and Austin had a lot of classes together, so they often saw each other, and were sometimes paired up for group projects. Eventually, Nova fell in love with Austin. She had given him a lot of hints to show how she felt, but he was either ignoring her, or he was just slow when it came to relationships.

So with bravery in her step, she confessed her true feelings for Austin, only to be shot down. He explained that they were not suitable since they came from different social backgrounds. It was needless to say that Nova was heartbroken. She avoided him for a while to save face and sort out what she was feeling, but the heart wants what the heart wants, so she wept and pined for him while they were apart.

It couldn't be said that Nova was not a determined young woman, because of her upbringing, when she wanted something, she made sure she got it. So she confessed to Austin one more time, crying and showing him her pain. And he broke, not able to resist a beautiful woman crying in front of him.

He confessed that it had been hard for him to drive her away because the second he laid eyes on her, he knew she was the one for him, but he hid his feelings from her because he knew he was not worthy, she was a princess, and he was a pauper, he would not be able to give her the life that she deserved. Nova hugged him, saying she did not care about anything else as long as they were together.

They were happy for a little while until Nova's father discovered their relationship. He had strongly opposed Nova being with Austin, saying he was not good enough for someone like her, who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

Nova fought with her father fiercely, trying to convince him that Austin was a genuine person, he was smart and resourceful given the chance to flourish. Even after a lot of pleading, her father did not relent. He made her choose between Austin and her family, and she did not hesitate to choose Austin, as she had fallen so madly and deeply in love with him, there was no question in her mind that they should be together.

In his anger and disbelief that the only daughter he had pampered and cared for chose a man she barely knew, he cut off all ties with Nova. Disowning her and cutting off all communications.

Austin and Nova got married after they graduated. They went back to Austin's village, where they started their lives and survived with their meager possessions.

Austin felt guilty that he had nothing to offer her, so in exchange for the riches, she was used to, he made sure he was not lacking when it came to love and care. He showed her every day how much he felt. Never raising his voice at her even though for the first few months she burned everything she tried to cook. Life in the village was completely different from how she was raised, and Nova took a while to get adjusted, but with Austin's support and constant encouragement, she got used to it.

Nova tried to contact her father several times, sending him letters to let him know how she was faring, but he never responded.

After two years, Sophia was born, it was the happiest moment of the couple's lives, and they cherished each other so well that now their family was complete. Nova never learned how to cook, so Austin would always rush home so he could prepare all their meals. It was his way of spoiling her.

Sophia's father was so sweet and loving that he called Nova his Queen and Sophia his Princess. She loved hearing that nickname coming from her father's lips. It always made her giggle.

For at least 12 years, they had been blessed with their blissful family life. Nova had been content with country living, but in her heart, she still missed her father. So she kept sending him handwritten letters, to try to re-establish their broken relationship, but he never took the time to respond.

Unexpectedly a catastrophe happened that would change the course of their lives forever.

On a supposed regular day, Austin and Nova got caught in a rainstorm on their way home from the market. The sudden downpour made roads slippery and the paths almost invisible. The truck driver veered into oncoming traffic to avoid the accident in front of him, not noticing Austin and Aurora were on a scooter until it was too late. The impact from the truck and being thrown at least ten feet away from where they were, had instantly killed the husband and wife and their unborn three-month-old son.

Sophia had been left at home, which was why she was able to avoid the accident. But whenever Sophia remembers that day, she wishes that they had all been together that day, then she wouldn't have been so miserable in her life.

-=-

Austin had no known relatives, so the state had no choice but to send Sophia to Nova's family. Nova's father was devastated when he heard what happened, he had lost his daughter, and because of his pride, he will never get to talk to her again.

Sophia was devastated, she wailed in agony though there was no one to hear her pleas to bring her family back. When she learned she had a grandfather she thought her fate had gotten better. She wouldn't need to be sent to the orphanage, and staying with her family should make the situation a little bit better.