“You both got divorced… what, two years ago?” he asked, voice low, a hint of disbelief in his tone. “And he wasted no time before getting a girlfriend?”
Sophia shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “It doesn’t matter to me anymore. He can live his life, and I’ll live mine.”
Elias studied her closely. “You’re really trying to convince me that this doesn’t affect you? Every time I look at you, it’s clear… you’re anything but fine.”
Sophia gave a quiet sigh, a small frown tugging at her features. “It’s not a big deal. It’s over now. I’m recovering… slowly, but I am. I didn’t expect to run into him the very day I came back to Manhattan, that’s all. It might take some time, but I’ll get through it.”
Elias tilted his head, his gaze sharp. “So you still have feelings for him. Are you going to do something about it?”
Sophia’s breath hitched slightly, a grunt of frustration escaping her. “The only thing I want,” she said, exhaling sharply, “is for him to stay out of my life. Every time he shows up in front of me, it’s a bad sight. I hope I never have to see him again.”
Elias’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “Alright. Come on. I’ll drop you off.”
***
Sophia sat across from Emma’s desk. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, brushing the maroon walls and golden-trimmed furniture in warm light. Despite several recent project cancellations, work had already begun piling up.
Fortunately, with Elias’s help, the losses were easier to recover from, and several new projects had already appeared.
Sophia’s eyes stayed fixed on her laptop screen, fingers moving deftly as she prepared details for the next auction. The office was quiet, the royal ambiance of maroon and gold making it feel like a room fit for royalty. Dark wood tables with gilded edges added to the grandeur, and the subtle morning light cast a warm glow over the space.
Emma, sitting behind her desk, sifted through a stack of files. A soft knock at the door pulled their attention.
“Come in,” Emma called softly, lifting her hair out of her face.
The door opened, and a young man stepped inside. Barely twenty-one, he had neatly combed dark hair and sharp, alert eyes. His crisp white shirt and tailored black trousers were perfectly fitted, and a slim tie completed the look. He carried the file confidently, though a hint of nervous energy lingered in his posture.
“Miss Creed, these are the documents you requested,” he said, handing her the folder.
As Emma opened it, he continued, “The details you mentioned have been confirmed. And yes, Mr. Harold Graves is indeed the same man who saved you.”
Sophia’s head snapped up from her laptop, confusion and curiosity written across her face. She pushed the laptop aside and placed it on the table before standing and walking over to Emma’s desk.
“What’s going on?” she asked, her voice tinged with bewilderment.
Emma glanced briefly at the assistant who had brought the file. “You can leave now, thank you,” she said dismissively.
The young man gave a polite smile, nodded, and quietly turned to exit the office.
Once the door clicked shut, Emma’s face lit up with excitement. She scrolled through something on her phone and then held it out to Sophia.
“Look,” she said, offering the device.
Sophia took it, her brows furrowed in confusion. She glanced down at the screen—and froze.
A video began to play. The grainy footage showed a young girl and boy sitting together on a doorstep, sunlight falling softly across them.
“Is that… you? At your home?” Sophia asked, glancing up at Emma, puzzled.
Emma grinned. “Exactly! That’s me, when I was seventeen.”
Sophia’s gaze shifted to the boy beside her—and her eyes widened in shock. She looked back at Emma, disbelief written across her face. “And that’s… Harold? Magnus’s cousin?”
“Bingo!” Emma said, her excitement evident. “We met when he was fourteen, and I was seventeen. He came to my grandpa’s funeral. Do you remember that?”
Sophia’s expression softened, tinged with melancholy. “Yes…” she said quietly, a faint, bittersweet smile touching her lips. “I remember how upset you were. You wouldn’t stop crying, and I… I wasn’t even there for you. I regretted it so much that I was overseas with my dad. You were literally inconsolable.”
Emma nodded, her eyes glistening. “My grandpa was my favorite person in the whole family. When he passed away, I was devastated. Everyone was busy with the funeral, andI didn’t want to bother anyone. Then he came with his parents to pay their respects. He saw me crying and came over to talk to me. He was so kind, so gentle… I’ll never forget that day.”
