Chapter 7
I thought after that night, the Quinns would finally back off for good.
Turns out, I was way too naive.
The biggest thing about these rich families is that they can't stand losing control.
On the third morning, I was at the diner, pouring coffee for the customers.
A black Maybach pulled up outside.
Victoria stepped out.
She was dressed in a cream-colored coat, looking completely out of place among the old folks buying breakfast.
The old men didn't say a word, but their eyes were practically devouring her car like it was some priceless treasure.
"Soph," she called out.
That was the first time she'd ever called me that.
My hand jerked, and I nearly spilled the coffee everywhere.
"Ms. Stone, what can I get you?" I asked.
She frowned.
"I'm not here to buy breakfast," she said.
The old guy in line wasn't having it.
"If you're not buying anything, don't cut in line," he grumbled.
Victoria was speechless.
I almost burst out laughing.
In the Quinn family, nobody would ever make Victoria wait in line.
But the old-timers from the neighborhood? They couldn't care less who she was.
And they were totally unapologetic about it.
Victoria paused for a couple of seconds, then went to the back of the line without a word.
She waited in line for ten minutes before finally reaching me.
"Soph, let's talk," Victoria said.
I deadpanned, "Sweet or black coffee?"
"I said, let's talk," she repeated, a bit more firmly.
"Minimum order's a dollar," I replied.
Victoria's forehead twitched.
"Sweet coffee," she said.
I took her money.
"To go or eat here?" I asked.
"Sophie," she said.
"You can call me that until my paperwork goes through, but coffee is best while it's hot," I said.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
"Eat here," she said.
I served her a cup of sweet coffee.
She sat at the little table, back ramrod straight, like she was at some international summit.
An old lady sat across from her with a bowl of savory grits and grinned.
"First time here, honey?" the old lady asked.
For once, Victoria looked totally lost as she stared at the bowl loaded with bacon bits, cheese, and hot sauce.
The old lady went on.
"Sweet coffee? That's nothing to write home about. Next time, try the savory grits and add a couple spoonfuls of hot sauce. That's the good stuff," the old lady said.
Victoria gave a polite nod.
"Thanks," she said.
I was behind the counter, having a blast watching the whole thing unfold.
Ten minutes later, the breakfast rush was over.
Victoria finally came over to me.
"Soph, I overlooked your feelings before," she said.
I just stood there, dumbfounded.
Honestly, hearing her say that was even wilder than if Andrew started busking downtown.
I didn't say anything.
She kept going.
"Your dad and I talked it over. You can keep living with the Morgans.
"But we'll keep your room at the Quinn mansion, too.
"You're still the daughter we raised."
I kept my head down, wiping the table.
"What about April?" I asked.
Victoria's face went a little blank.
"She needs time to adjust.
"She's really talented, but she's also sensitive."
I let out a laugh.
"So, what's your plan to get her settled in?
"Are you just going to load her up with even more classes?
"Or have her memorize all the Quinns' rules right away?"
Victoria fell silent.
I knew I'd nailed it.
In the Quinn family, love is basically an investment.
It's all about potential, returns, and risks.
They thought I had no potential, so they were disappointed.
April, though? They saw potential in her, so they doubled down.
But people aren't projects.
People hurt.
People get worn out.
People can snap.
I said, "Ms. Stone, if you really want to do her a favor, just let her sleep in for once."
Victoria frowned.
"She's already eighteen. Time's too valuable to waste," she said.
I couldn't even argue with that.
Just then, I heard footsteps at the door.
April walked in.
She wasn't in her usual designer clothes. This time, she was rocking a simple black hoodie.
She looked totally worn out, with dark circles under her eyes.
When she spotted Victoria, her eyes lit up.
"Mom," April said.
Victoria turned around.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
April gripped the cuffs of her hoodie.
"I wanted to see you," April said.
She glanced at me, then quickly looked away.
"I finished reading the files you gave me last night.
"I rewrote the analysis for the merger.
"I know I was too hasty last time, but this time..."
Victoria cut her off.
"April, I'm not here to evaluate you today," she said.
April's face went pale.
"So you came for her?" she asked.
She pointed at me.
April shot me a look, her voice tense. "You're here for Sophie again, aren't you?"
Victoria frowned, her expression tightening.
"She's my daughter, too," Victoria said.
That set April off like a spark to dry grass.
She gave a shaky laugh, but her eyes were already rimmed with tears.
April echoed, her voice quivering. "The daughter you raised.
"Then what about me?
"I'm your biological daughter.
"I've been out there suffering all these years, and now that I'm finally back, you still care more about her?
"I screw up just once, and you immediately lose faith in me.
"She's been a mess for eighteen years, and you still can't bring yourself to let her go," April said, her voice shaking with emotion.
My heart skipped a beat.
That didn't sit right with me.