Chapter 5

Theo was also present when Fiona invited Sunny over for dinner.

It was the first time in my three years in this family that I'd seen Fiona so warm and friendly toward anyone.

Fiona affectionately called Sunny's name as she took Sunny's hand and sat her down beside the head of the table. "Sunny, you must've had a rough time living abroad these past few years. You poor thing."

Sunny kept her gaze lowered, her voice gentle. "Mrs. Ludwig, you're too kind. I learned so much overseas, and now that I'm back, I hope I can help out at Theo's company."

"Your being here is already a huge help," Fiona said, serving Sunny a rib from the platter. "Theo's company used to be all about the tech, but lacked any real polish. Now that you're here, things are different."

I sat at the very edge of the table, my plate empty.

Fiona kept serving Sunny food, not glancing my way.

Theo didn't look at me either. He sat next to Sunny, refilling her glass every now and then.

Sunny mentioned she couldn't get used to the food over there while she was abroad, and Theo chimed in, "I remember you only like mild flavors and can't handle anything spicy."

Theo remembered that Sunny couldn't handle spice. We'd been married for three years, and he still had no clue I was allergic to mangoes.

Last month, Fiona sent over a fruit basket. Half of it was mangoes. I left them to rot, and not a single person noticed.

Halfway through dinner, Fiona suddenly turned to me. "Sofia, go heat up more soup."

I stood up.

Sunny caught my arm. "Mrs. Ludwig, let Sofia sit and eat. I won't be able to finish all that."

Fiona waved her off. "She's got nothing better to do."

I went to the kitchen.

Fiona's voice came from behind me. She thought I was out of earshot. "Sunny, what you and Theo had... It's such a shame. If the family hadn't hit those hard times back then, you two would probably be married by now."

Theo didn't say a word to deny it.

Sunny let out a soft laugh. "Mrs. Ludwig, let's not bring up the past. He has someone taking care of him after all."

When she said that, she angled her voice toward the kitchen.

I stood at the stove, ladle in hand, frozen.

Thirty minutes later, when I brought the soup out, the dinner was almost over.

Fiona practically shoved the gift box with the dress into Sunny's hands. "Go on, take it. I picked it out just for you. You'll look gorgeous in it."

Sunny took it in both hands, thanking Fiona politely.

She opened the box, glanced at the dress, then turned to me. "Sofia, this dress is beautiful. Thanks for helping Mrs. Ludwig pick it out."

She knew I was the one who wrapped those gifts. She knew exactly what kind of person Fiona treated me as when she had me do these things. But she took them anyway and made sure I saw her take them.

When Theo walked Sunny out to the porch, the two of them lingered there for a long time.

I was in the living room, picking up the dishes, when I heard Theo's voice float in from the front door. "You've been working hard lately. If you need anything, just let me know."

Sunny said softly, "As long as you're here, I'm not afraid of anything."

A bowl clinked against the sink with a sharp, clear sound.

I kept my head down and continued washing the dishes.

That night, Theo came home late. I'd already turned off the lights and was lying in bed.

When he came into the bedroom to change, thinking I was asleep, he answered a call. "Yeah, you don't need to worry about the project. Sofia's handling all the tech stuff. Nothing will go wrong."

He paused. "Right, she's the techie. That's all she is. Focus on getting the materials for Berringer Labs ready."

He hung up the phone, walked into the bathroom, and shut the door behind him.

I lay there in the dark, my eyes open, my fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of the USB drive pendant hanging around my neck.

That USB drive held all the original files of the designs I'd created at the Ludwig Group, every single one marked with my digital watermark.

For three years, I'd kept it with me, like it was part of me.

Just then, my phone screen lit up.

It was a text from Nina: [Screenshot saved. I checked the graduate list for the chip design program at Berringer Technical University for the past five years. Thirty-seven names total. Sunny's not on it.]

I read the message, then flipped my phone over and set it down next to my pillow.

Another message popped up right after: [By the way, someone from the Harrison Group asked me about your contact info today.]