***
Once the crowd around Sylvia finally thinned and the final guests departed, the grand hall slowly returned to silence.
Sophia changed out of her dress into something more casual—fitted black trousers, a soft cream blouse, and a light coat draped elegantly over her shoulders. She removed the silver pin from her bun, letting her hair fall into loose waves down her back.
Without the stage lights and formal attire, she looked softer, but no less striking.
When she stepped outside the building, the evening air felt cooler against her skin.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she scrolled, searching for the nearest café. The cool Manhattan evening brushed against her skin, but she barely noticed.
Her focus was entirely on the glowing screen.
She walked absentmindedly, and didn’t notice the tall figure approaching from the opposite direction
They passed each other.
And then—
An arm suddenly wrapped firmly around her waist.
Sophia gasped softly as her body was pulled back mid-step. Her heel nearly twisted, but the arm tightened just in time to steady her.
Her heart jumped violently.
Her eyes lifted.
Her head tilted upward.
And then she froze.
Magnus.
For a split second, it felt as if the world had gone silent.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She stared at him like she’d seen a ghost — her face draining of color, shock written all over her features.
On the other hand, Magnus’s expression was something else entirely.
There was something unfamiliar in his expression. Conflicted. Curious. Almost… shaken.
His sharp eyes traced her features as if trying to match them to a memory that refused to fully surface. There was recognition there—but also doubt.
His thumb unconsciously tightened slightly against her side before he seemed to realize he was still holding her.
Sophia swallowed, the world around them fading into muted background noise.
Why was he looking at her like that?
Her heart began to pound—hard enough she was sure he could feel it through his palm.
Sophia was the first to recover. She shifted under his touch.
The movement seemed to snap Magnus out of whatever trance he had fallen into.
He blinked once and cleared his throat.
