Chapter 7

"Good." She raised her glass again. "Come on, another toast. To our reunion as sisters."

I lifted my water and clinked it lightly against hers. The crisp sound of glass meeting glass felt like a signal.

Sophie set down her glass and asked how I planned to compete in the Sisters Showdown. Her gaze dropped meaningfully to my leg before she covered her mouth with a laugh. "A wheelchair versus high heels? Kidding. Don't mind me."

Alexander's face darkened. "Sophie, enough."

Sophie immediately wiped the smile off her face and lowered her head with a pitiful look. "Sorry, Claire. I really speak without thinking sometimes. Please don't be mad at me."

I looked at the two of them. One played the bad guy, the other the good guy, and they worked together perfectly. "It's fine," I said. "I know you're joking. But don't worry. Even in a wheelchair, I can still dance."

Sophie's smile froze. "Claire... what did you say?"

"I said," I looked straight into her eyes, "I'll be there on the day of the show. I won't miss a single second of the dance I'm supposed to do."

The restaurant went quiet for a few seconds. Sophie's expression was a show all by itself, shock, doubt, disbelief, and beneath it, a flicker of panic.

But she recovered fast and forced out another smile. "Claire, you're joking. Your leg..."

"What's wrong with my leg?" I glanced down at the cast around it. "It's just broken. Broken things can heal, can't they?"

Alexander looked at me, his brows drawn tight. He was probably trying to figure out whether I truly knew nothing or was just playing dumb. "Claire," he said in a low voice, "don't push yourself."

I turned to him and smiled. "Alex, are you worried about me... or worried about something else?"

His eyes flickered. "Of course I'm worried about you."

"Good." I picked up my napkin and wiped my lips. "Thanks for dinner. I'm a little tired, so I'd like to head back first."

"I'll take you." Alexander stood up at once.

"No need." I pushed my wheelchair back. "Sophie just got back. Stay and talk with her. I can call a car myself."

"But..." "It's fine." I smiled at both of them. "Really. It's fine."

I wheeled myself slowly out of the restaurant. At the entrance, I looked back once and saw Sophie leaning close to Alexander's ear with a sweet smile while he lowered his head to listen. What a perfect match. Then I looked away and rolled outside.

The early autumn wind was cold, sharp as a blade against my face. While I waited at the curb, a text from Sophie popped up: [Claire, I'm sorry. I went too far tonight. Please don't be mad at me. I was just too excited because it's been so long since I saw you. Let me take you out alone another day to make it up to you, okay?] I smiled and replied: [Okay.]

After I got in the car, I sent another message, to Dr. Carter. [Can you move Monday up to tomorrow?]

He replied instantly. [? Are you insane? Tomorrow's only Friday. Can't you rest for two more days?]

[I can't wait.]

[Fine. Tomorrow, 7:00 a.m. Don't be late.]

[Okay.]

I put my phone away and leaned back in the seat, watching the neon lights race by outside. Sophie was back. Alexander's Moonlight was back. And I, the Shadow that never should've existed, was supposed to disappear. But before I did, I would make them see that even a Shadow could shine.