Thankfully, if I’ve mastered anything in my life, it’s to fake it till I make it. The confidence is back, and although it’s not entirely sincere, no one will ever be able to tell.
Astrid, with her face in a terrible state, is sitting beside her mother, and Soren is next to their father. I avoid eye contact with them as much as possible, shifting the focus to my own family.
“Good evening,” I step into the room, hands clasped in front of me, as I take a seat next to Mom. I’m not sure why Sawyer is here, butI pay no attention to him, my eyes sweeping over Astrid again. “You’re looking different, Astrid.”
“Sophia,” Dad’s warning voice makes me sigh, and I can feel Soren’s burning gaze on the side of my face. I chose the seat as far from him as possible, trying to avoid him at all costs.
“Why are we here?”
Dad and Edward exchange a look. For the first time since I’ve known about their rivalry, it’s not filled with hatred. It’s more understanding, and I’m not certain why, but it fucking scares me.
“This has gone on for far too long,” Edward starts speaking, just as Elliot brings the beverage. It’s one of the finest teas, and although it’s not my favorite, I can’t exactly play the part of the bratty rich girl right now. Elliot winks at me discreetly, and when my cup is in front of me, I smile in gratitude. He brewed my favorite one. That’s why I adore this man. “And all of you are adults. This can’t go on anymore.”
“Edward’s right,” Dad agrees, and you’d think someone tore a limb off his body. I take a sip of the tea to prevent myself from laughing at Dad’s expression of pure agony as he agrees. “This has to stop.”
“And what are you suggesting, exactly?” I ask, putting the cup back on the matching, porcelain saucer, eyes glancing between each person in the room, except Soren, of course.
“We won’t sue,” Elena explains, but bitterness laces her tongue, which makes me smirk in triumph. “As long as you don’t sue for Astrid’s little mistake.”
“Mistake?” I repeat with a scoff. “You’re calling that a mistake?”
“Yes,” Elena insists, and I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. Mom takes my hand in hers, giving it a firm, solid squeeze. A silent warning to keep my tongue in check. “Let’s just all apologize to each other and go our separate ways.”
I blink as silence falls in the lounge. I’m waiting for anyone to tell me it’s some sort of a terrible joke, and that this woman didn’t just come into my home and almost ordered me to apologize to Astrid.
“You know what? You’re right,” I bite out, and even my Dad looks surprised. “And after that, we can all go outside, make sand and water cakes in the park, and also go down the slides together. Since you’re already treating us like we’re seven, why not go all out?”
Soren surprises me by bursting out laughing. I’ve been observing him from the corner of my eye, and this entire time, his posture’s been rigid, his jaw clenched shut, and I’m too embarrassed to admit the instant effect it had on me.
However, hearing him laugh so heartily makes my own heart beat faster. He’s so beautiful when he laughs that it’s almost painful to watch.
“Sophia,” Mom squeezes my hand painfully. “We’re trying to resolve all of this.”
“Well, then, let me be the one to break it down to you, okay? You, the parents, are to blame for all of this. Since we were kids, you’ve instilled into our brains not to mix with each other, and we listened. Now you’re starting to see the fault in your ways?”
“Not once did that mean you had to bully each other,” Edward piques. “Or to beat each other.”
“Perhaps you should’ve thought about that sooner. Now, I will not be apologizing to Astrid. Because, quite frankly, I don’t regret a single thing I’ve done. She’s lucky Sawyer pulled me off her; otherwise, I doubt she’d still be breathing.”
“Why, you little—” Astrid grits out, and the room falls silent when Dad clears his throat, drawing attention to himself.
“Still, that’s not the only thing we need to discuss. Sawyer and Astrid are the main topic.”
“Oh,” I lean back with a smirk. “I have to hear this.”
“This, whatever this is between you two,” Dad motions with his hands, “cannot go on. It’s been going on for far too long. A whole damned year. You two will figure out the easiest way to break it off, and I’m giving you a week.”
Astrid’s face falls visibly, and I’m trying my best not to laugh in her face. She wants to protest, turning to her parents for support, but she seems to be barking at the wrong tree, because judging by their body language, this is something they agree on wholeheartedly.
“We’re adults,” Sawyer protests, and I turn to look at him. He’s fuming. “You can’t seriously tell me who I can and cannot be with.”
“Correct,” Dad says. “But your actions have consequences. The Fords are our biggest competitors, and I don’t trust you while you’re with her. So, I’m giving you a week. Should you choose to continue with the relationship, I’ll have no choice but to leave all the major business to Sophia.”
Immediately, I sit up with the widest, biggest grin that I could possibly muster. Sawyer’s eyes land on me, and if he wasn’t angry before, he sure as hell is furious now.
“Oh, please,” I laugh. “Go and marry her, I’m begging you.”
“You too, Sophia,” my eyes immediately snap to Mom when I hear her voice. “You’ll break off things with Soren, and you’ll act accordingly.”
