Sophia couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips.
“I missed you too,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around Emma again and hugging her back properly this time.
Emma didn’t waste another second. She grabbed Sophia’s hand and tugged her toward the couch.
Sophia let go of the suitcase and followed, allowing herself to be pulled along. They sank onto the couch together, but Emma didn’t release her hand. Instead, she held it tightly between both of hers like she needed physical proof that Sophia was really here.
“It feels like forever since we’ve just sat like this,” Emma said, her voice trembling slightly despite her bright smile. “I’m so happy you’re finally back.”
Her eyes grew suspiciously glossy.
Sophia laughed quietly and nudged her shoulder. “Don’t cry.”
Emma lifted Sophia’s hand and rubbed her cheek against it, almost like a cat seeking affection. She sniffed dramatically but grinned again. Then her expression shifted — curiosity replacing excitement.
“So…” she narrowed her eyes playfully. “Are you seeing someone?”
“Nah,” Sophia lightly smacked Emma’s shoulder with the back of her fingers. “You know how the last one ended.”
Her smile faded.
Her gaze dropped to their joined hands.
Emma’s grip on her hand tightened.
Sophia inhaled slowly, steadying herself. “I’m just not ready,” she added. “I don’t think I will be for a while.”
Emma studied her face carefully. The teasing expression was gone now, replaced with something gentler.
“You’re still thinking about him, aren’t you?”
Sophia didn’t answer.
Emma hesitated before continuing carefully, “You remember that after you left, Magnus got into an accident, right?”
Sophia’s lashes fluttered, but she didn’t speak.
“He lost the memories of the last six months. He doesn’t remember your marriage,” Emma continued. “He doesn’t remember his mom arranging for you to meet him. To him, you don’t exist. If you stood in front of him now…” Emma hesitated, “you’d be a stranger.”
The room felt suddenly colder.
Sophia forced her expression to remain calm, though her chest tightened painfully.
“I know,” she said quietly.
Emma searched her face. “Do you regret it?”
Sophia looked up.
“Regret not forgiving him?” Emma pressed gently. “He explained everything to you before you left, didn’t he? About those photos. About Celia and all your misunderstandings. Do you regret not forgiving him back then?”
Her voice softened further. “Now that you’re back… are you thinking about reconciling?”
Sophia shook her head.
“No. Our relationship was wrong from the beginning. It was just a contract marriage. It was never meant to last.”
Her lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile.
