Chapter 3
At six the next morning, my alarm went off.
Once I finished getting ready and stepped out of my room, I saw that Leo was already awake.
He was perched on his bedroom bay window, hugging a gray stuffed bunny, gazing out the window.
The sunlight streamed across his face, and his little face looked so pale it was almost see-through.
"Good morning," I said.
He ignored me.
I joined him by the window, gazing outside as well.
"The weather's really nice today. Look, there's mist on the lake," I said.
He still didn't respond.
I didn't say anything else and went to the kitchen to help with breakfast.
The butler said Charles had already left, and Leo's usual breakfast was milk, eggs, and toast.
When I carried the tray upstairs, Leo was still sitting by the windowsill.
"Time for breakfast," I said.
Leo glanced at me but didn't move.
I set the tray down on the little table beside him and sat across from him.
I didn't rush him.
I just pulled out my phone and started scrolling through my mom's medical records, researching treatment options.
After about five minutes, Leo reached out and took a piece of toast, and he took a bite.
I pretended not to notice.
He finished the whole piece of toast and drank half a glass of milk.
Then he glanced at the dense medical jargon on my phone screen, and his little brows furrowed.
"What are you looking at?" he asked.
I almost dropped my phone.
Did he talk to me?!
The butler had said he barely ever talked to anyone except for Charles, and even then, it was just a word or two.
I tried to keep my voice steady.
"I'm just reading up on some info about medical treatments," I said.
"Who's sick?" he asked.
"My mom," I replied.
He looked down and mumbled, "I don't have a mom."
For a split second, it felt like something sharp jabbed right into my chest.
I didn't ask him why, and I didn't bother with any of those cliché adult comforts.
I just said, "If you feel sick, you can tell me. I know a thing or two about medicine."
He looked up at me.
There was something different in those big, dark eyes of his.
It was subtle, but I caught it.
After breakfast, when the butler came up to collect the tray and saw the milk glass half-empty, he almost stumbled.
"Miss Winters, the young master barely eats anything for breakfast," he said.
"He ate a whole piece of toast today," I replied.
The butler's face was pure shock.
At ten in the morning, I was in the playroom with Leo, keeping him company while he drew.
He sketched a house, and next to it was a tall person standing alone.
Only one person in the picture.
I didn't ask who the tall figure was.
My phone rang. It was an unknown number.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Sophia," a voice said.
My hand tightened around the phone.
It was Jason Reed, my ex-fiancé.
"How did you get my number?" I asked, keeping my tone flat.
"I've always had your number, Sophia. I'm calling because I have some serious business with you," Jason said.
"I don't have any business with you," I shot back.
"Running out of money for your mom's hospital bills, aren't you?" he pressed.
I went quiet for a second.
"How did you find out?" I asked.
"Your dad told me. He said you're struggling on your own, and you don't even have a place to stay," Jason replied.
My dad.
My "dear father," who gave away my fiancé and the bridal suite to Claire.
"Sophia, Claire and I talked it over. We can cover your mom's medical bills," Jason said.
"And the catch?" I asked.
"Be Claire's bridesmaid," Jason said.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Excuse me?"
"We're getting married next month. Claire wants you to be her bridesmaid. You know, you two are sisters, and it'll make a nice impression on the guests," Jason said.
"You stole my wedding date, my wedding plans, my dress, and now you want to use me as a prop for your big day?" I snapped.
"Hey, don't be so harsh. This is a win-win. You'll get your mom's surgery paid for," Jason replied, acting like he was doing me a favor.
I couldn't help bursting out laughing, a bitter laugh born out of sheer exasperation.
"Jason, you really think I'm a pushover?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Sophia..."
I hung up.
Leo stopped drawing and looked up at me.