Sophia was still in daze as she sat in the bank manager's office, waiting for the money her daughter has won in lottery.
"Ms Wilson, this is last docunment you have to sign before we transfer the money to your account." said the bank manager, bringing her attention back to the present.
Having a thorough read of the docunment, Sophia signed it as the manager excused himself once again.
A while later, the manager returened with her bank card.
"Congratulations Ms Wilson on winning a prize of 100,000$. Your daughter is really lucky for you." the bank manager said as he returned her card back to her.
Thanking the manager, Sophia returned back to her parent's courtyard where her parents and daughter were waiting for her.
Seeing Sophia enter, Old lady Wilson rushed towards her and asked,
"How is it? Did you get the money."
"Old Lady. She just came back. Let a take a breath first." said Old man Wilson even though he was also tensed about the money.
Aria just stood on the side, calmly waiting for her mother to speak.
Helping her parents and daughter on the sofa, Sophia, hugging Aria tightly, replied in excitment,
"I got the money mom. My daughter is really my lucky charm."
"Wow! That's great new. But what will you do with this money Sophia." asked Old lady Wilson.
"Exactly. In a few hours, everyone will know that Aria had won the money and it might even bring more problems for you and Aria. Especially the Thomas family will definitely create more troubles for you." the Old man exclaimed in worry.
A tensed atmosphere rise in the room as the three elders pondered upon what to do.
"It is very simple. Before daddy and grandparents find out, we should leave this town. With this money in hand, we can shift somewhere else." said Aria, breaking the sombered silence in the room.
"I think that is a great idea. You and Aria should leave this town today, right now." stated old lady Wilson.
"I also agree with your mother." said Old man Wilson.
"Ok we can shift, but what you both. I can't leave you alone like this." exclaimed Sophia in hesitation and worry for her parents.
"Don't worry about us. You should focus on Aria and your future. We are already so old. What can they do to us. First you and Aria settle down, then we can shift later in the future. Right now, you should only think about Aria." the Old lady Wilson advised Sophia.
Sophia hesitated for a moment, but looking at her daughter, she strengthened her heart, and agreed.
"Ok. I will leave this town with Aria. But where?"
"City B. Mom we should move to City B. It is a first-tier city with better opportunities and resources and moreover, it is very close to our town and we will reach there by tonight." Aria suggested with great confidence.
Infact Aria had her own selfish reason for this suggestion. In her previous life, although she moved to City B many years later, but she is still very well aware of all great changes that will happen in the near future. The current City B is like a undiscovered goldmine for her. As for how she was going to uncover this golden mine, Aria already had a plan in mind.
"I think Aria's suggestion is quite good. With the money you currently have in your hand, you can easily settle down in City B. Furthermore, you are a university graduate student and can easily find a job later. In addition, the education system is also much more advanced which will beneficial to Aria." said Old man Wilson as he analyzed the entire situation and all the possibilities.
"OK. I will move to City B with Aria today itself. But I will go alone. Dad you won't follow me. When we rach there, I will contact you myself." Sophia announced her final decision.
"But...." old lady Wilson wanted to oppose the idea but was stopped by her husband.
"I also agree this Sophia. This is the best plan of action at the moment. Sophia you go and pack your clothes. I will handle the tickets and your stay over there for today." The old man Wilson assured his wife and then instructed his daughter.
Sophia nodded and made her way to her room while Old man Wilson also picked his phone to make further arrangements.
...
....
....
Leaning her head against her train seat, Sophia watched as she her town, her past, her silence and her fear blurred through her eyes, which was soon leaving behind as she moved towards her new life with her daughter.
Sitting in her mother's lap, Aria gazed outside the window, her eyes reflecting the flicker of determination as she once again live this journey, but this time, with her real family, her mother.
Leaning closer to Sophia, Aria whispered just enough for her to hear,
"This time, I will protect you."
....
.....
Outside, the night fall as they reach City B. Holding her daughter's hand and carrying there luggage, Sophia Exited the station. Hailing a taxi, She gave the name of the hotel her father had booked for them.
Soon, they reach hotel and enter. Moving towards the reception,
"Welcome to Pearl hotel Ma'am. Do you have a reservation or would you like to book a room at the moment." The receptionist asked.
"We have a booking under Sophia Wilson's name." Sophia replied as the receptionist checked and gave her the keys.
"Hope you enjoy your stay here."
Moving towards the elavator, a hotel bellhop helped them transport their luggage to their room.
Entering the room, Aria ran off to the bed and lay on it.
"I am so tired mom. The bed is so comfortable as well. Come here mom." said Aria as she waved at Sophia to come closer.
Gazing warmly at her delighted daughter, Sophia walked towards her and picked her off the bed.
"Lay down on the bed later. First go and take a shower. I will get your nightsuit ready. Go." said Sophia as she ushered her to the bathroom.
"Ok...Ok, I am going." sighed Aria dramatically as she went to take a bath.
Chuckling at her daughter's antics, Sophia picked out clothes for Aria and herself.
Soon, the mother-daughter pair was ready in their nightsuit, under the duvet, as Aria laid in her mother's arm, breathing in her scent.
Holding her daughter in her arms, Sophia gently caressed Aria's hair as she thought about their future. She had a total of 130,000$ in her account which is not even enough to buy a house in a first-tier city like City B. She was a graduate student in literature and can work as a teacher in school but she was well aware that the salary won't be that much high. Moreover, the bills, Aria's education, she had to worry about all of that as well. How will she manage all of this.
Feeling her mother's distracted hands, Aria also understood what she is worried about. Going through her past life memories, she has a plan to make quick money but she needed money and her mother's support for that.
There was only one way to make quick money and that was stocks. In her previous life, she also earned her first pot of gold through stocks but unfortunately told everyone about it. Because of it, all her money went into their pocket while she became their golden egg laying chicken.
Now, she just had to make her her mother trust her.
"Mom, What's wrong? Are you worried about money?"
Her words brought instant silence in the room. Sophia's hand paused as she she thought of an answer. Aria also didn't push; afterall, she knew trust wasn't demanded but earned in quite moments like this.
"It is nothing. I will handle it. You should sleep now." sais Sophia as she tried to brush off the topic.
"I can help mom. I know a way through which we can earn alot of money." said Aria as she leaned, her voice soft yet delibrate.
"Really. And what is idea of yours?" asked Sophia to humour her daughter.
"Stocks. Didn't we earn alot of money today. We can invest it in stocks and earn profit by a huge margin." Aria gave her suggestion.
"I know stocks can earn alot of money but they can make you dirt poor overnight as well. This is very risky for us." said Sophia as she tried hard not to hurt her daughter's precious heart.
"I know that mom. But I have been studing stocks and finance for three years now and definitely won't make you lose the money." said Aria as she hesitatingly disclosed a big secret.
"You have been studying stocks! You are only five years old young lady. And you have started lying. Who will even teach you something like stocks in our small town. Someone possibly played a trick on you" Sophia pointed out as anger started to rise inside her heart. Which shameless person taught daughter her to lie and played such a trick with her.