Chapter 8

I deleted the message and pressed the button for the lobby.

The private room at Moonstone Bistro was booked for Saturday night.

I arrived at the restaurant two hours early to double-check the menu and the seating. The private room held eighteen people, with a large round table and a big potted plant in the center as a centerpiece.

I replaced the large plant with a smaller one and cleared some space in the middle of the table.

The private dining room had a large flat-screen TV on one wall. Earlier that day, I'd made sure the screen-sharing feature worked so I could cast my phone when I needed to.

Chloe was the first to show up. She had on a bright red jacket, her makeup was on point, and her lips were shiny and bold.

"Nice room, huh?" she said, giving it a quick scan before dropping onto the sofa. "Are Uncle Edward and Uncle Henry coming tonight?"

"All of them. Your brother arranged it," I replied.

"Is Sophia coming?" Chloe asked.

I glanced at her.

Chloe fidgeted with her hair. "Just curious. She's been at the hospital so much lately, she's practically part of the family."

"I don't know if she's coming. Ask Ethan," I said.

Chloe pouted and didn't say anything else.

I noticed Chloe referred to her simply as "Sophia"—not "Sophia Bennett" or "that Sophia." She was treating her like she belonged, almost like family.

By six-thirty, people were starting to gather. Uncle Edward and his family, Uncle Henry and Aunt Clara, Emily, Alex, and two of Ethan's close colleagues.

Ethan was the last to show up, with someone right behind him as he opened the door.

It was Sophia Bennett.

She had changed into a light blue dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, and she carried a gift bag in her hand.

"Hi everyone! I guess I’m not a stranger anymore, so I’ll keep it casual," Sophia said with a smile as she handed the gift bag to Uncle Edward. "I brought you a couple of tins of good tea."

Uncle Edward took the gift with a big grin, repeating "Wonderful!" three times.

"Sophia, come sit here," Aunt Clara said, pulling her over to sit beside her, as if Sophia were her own niece.

Ethan leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Sophia's been looking after Mom this whole time. Taking her out to dinner is the least we can do. Don't make something out of nothing."

I nodded. "I'm not reading too much into it."

He shot me a look, then went to the head of the table and sat down, looking pleased with himself.

The atmosphere at the table was warm and lively. Everyone was raising their glasses, chatting about Mom's recovery, the prosthetic options, and that tough surgery Ethan had just pulled off.

Sophia sat quietly next to Aunt Clara, eating and only speaking up occasionally—always at just the right moment. When someone asked what she did, she said she worked as a therapist at Hope Recovery Center.

If someone complimented her appearance, she’d just smile, lower her gaze, and say, "Oh, come on, that’s not true."

Aunt Clara, a little tipsy, suddenly said, "Ethan, Sophia's a really good girl. Lina's been working so hard at home these past few years. Why not give her a break and let Sophia help out with your mom?"

The table went quiet for a second.

Uncle Edward cleared his throat and lifted his glass, eager to move the conversation along.

"Who said anything about taking a break?" Aunt Clara said, oblivious to the tension. "Lina, don't you think you've been running yourself ragged at home for the past three years? You deserve a rest.

"Sophia, on the other hand, can cook and take care of people—she's way better at it than you. Honestly, if you had just been a little more careful that day, maybe your mother-in-law wouldn't have ended up hurt."

"Aunt Clara," Ethan said.

"Am I wrong? How did your mom lose her leg? Wasn't it because something went wrong on her side?" Aunt Clara gestured toward me with her chin.

Sophia jumped in right on cue. "Clara, please don't say that. Lina's been working so hard lately, busy at the hospital every day."

"Look at how well Sophia knows exactly what to say," Aunt Clara said, giving her hand a gentle pat.

Sophia had my back. She spoke up for me. But I noticed something.

During the whole time Aunt Clara was tearing into me, Sophia's eyes weren't on her or on me.

She was watching Ethan.

Every time she spoke, she kept glancing at Ethan, like she was checking how he'd react—almost performing for him.

"What are you all saying about me?" I smiled, stood up, and started pouring drinks for everyone. "Aunt Clara's right, I really haven't done enough. Let me raise a glass to everyone—thanks for taking care of Mom lately."

I stood by the table, making the rounds and topping off everyone's glasses.

When I got to Sophia, I poured her a drink too.