That familiar warmth filled her chest again now, wrapping around her like a blanket she didn’t know how to hold onto.
“Why do you act like this…?” she whispered, her lips trembling. “I can’t figure you out at all.”
Why would he protect her…and hurt her at the same time?
Her eyes stayed on the doorway long after he was gone, unfocused, lost.
The silence in the room stretched.
She was still trapped in that thought when the sudden sharp ring of the mansion’s doorbell tore through the quiet air.
Sophia flinched hard.
Her shoulders jumped, her hand flying to her chest.
Downstairs, footsteps hurried out of the kitchen. One of the maids quickly wiped her wet hands on her apron while rushing toward the entrance.
The moment the door swung open, the maid stopped abruptly, eyes widening.
“Mr. King?”
Arthur blinked, clearly surprised. “You know me?” he asked.
The maid straightened immediately, offering a polite smile. “Yes, sir. Mr. Graves gave us photographs of all of Mrs. Graves’s family so that whenever anyone comes, we can welcome them properly and make them comfortable.”
Arthur stood still for a second.
The realization hit him without warning, and warmth rushed into his chest. Magnus cared about Sophia far more than he had imagined.
A quiet happiness spread through Arthur, mixed with a relief he hadn’t even known he had been carrying.
“I see…” he murmured, his voice softer.
“Please come in, Mr. King,” the maid said, stepping aside respectfully. “I will inform Mrs. Graves that you’re here.”
“Thank you.”
Arthur walked inside.
His steps were slow, almost careful, as if he was afraid of disturbing something.
His eyes moved across the living room, taking in the grand staircase, the polished floors, the expensive decorations, the quiet luxury in every corner.
It was elegant. Impressive.
This was Sophia’s home now. Not his.
And only now did the truth truly land in his heart.
His daughter was married.
The same little girl he used to carry in his arms, the child who would run across the house with tiny steps, calling for him the moment he came back from work…
She lived here now.
A lump of emotion rose in his throat as he tried to blink the tears away.
But it was useless.
