Inside the small, out-of-the-way bistro, the air was so still you could hear a pin


    drop. Sophia pressed her hand down with force, but her head turned slightly, eyesnding on Leonard, who stood a short distance away, phone raised.


    There was a gap between them, a buffer of tension.


    Sophia knew Leonard well enough—more than just an acquaintance. She understood his standing in the Montgomery family, the weight his word carried. But so what?


    If she''d been the sort to fear that, she''d never have tangled with M in the first ce. Truth was, within the Montgomery family, only two people truly held any real power: Lysander''s father, and M. She''d already crossed M. What else was there to be afraid of?


    Sophia shot Leonard a quick, dismissive nce before turning back to M, ready to drag her out the door. But Leonard spoke up, voice steady: "Ms. Pembroke, even if you take her with you today, it won''t solve your son''s problem. I suggest you answer this call."


    Sophia didn''t bother turning around. She paused, then asked, "Who is it?" "You''ll know once you listen."


    "So secretive." She sounded unimpressed, but called out, "Nathaniel."


    Nathaniel, who''d been frozen in his seat, finally dared to move. His face was drained of color as he hurried to the doorway, took the phone from Leonard''s outstretched hand, and passed it to Sophia at arm''s length. Sophia, a cigarette burning between her lips, took the phone without so much as a nce.


    Pinned by Sophia''s fork against the hollow of her neck, M had managed topose herself. She risked a sideways nce and caught a glimpse of the phone''s screen-a number she didn''t recognize.


    Who could it be?


    Sophia didn''t say a word. She pressed the phone to her ear, listened for a moment, one eyebrow arching in surprise. Her lips curled in a mocking, almost amused smile as she flicked a nce at M.


    "Really?"


    Whatever was said on the other end, Sophia only replied with a single question. Her tone eased; the tension in her shoulders faded. "Fine. But you know how I am if you''re lying to me about this..." She left the threat hanging in the air.


    After a beat, a faint smile appeared on her face. She turned to M, the ember of her cigarette glowing in the gloom. "We''ll call it a day for now. But my invitation stands-anytime you want to visit, I''ll make you some homemade chicken soup." With that, she abruptly pulled away the fork and tossed it onto the table, rising from her chair and striding out. Nathaniel hesitated, nced at M, wanting to speak but thinking better of it, before hurrying after his sister.


    M''s body convulsed with coughs.


    Forrest rushed over, steadying her with a strong arm and gently rubbing her back to help her catch her breath. He poured her a ss of warm water; M sipped gratefully, her raw throat easing only the slightest bit. Even so, speaking was agony.


    "We''re going to the hospital."


    Worried about damage to her vocal cords, Forrest didn''t waste another second. He swept her up in his arms and strode out the door, passing the Pembroke siblings just as they were leaving through the crimson-painted entrance.


    Leonard was right behind them.


    "Hey, Sophia!"


    Nathaniel finally lost hisposure as their footsteps echoed down the alley. He grabbed his sister''s arm, voice low and urgent, hurt and anger mingling.


    "How many times do I have to tell


    you? Why won''t you listen? M is a friend to our family-without her, those traffickers would''ve ruined Julian''s life! And let''s not forget, Julian''s breakdown was because of you! How can you me M for any of this? What will people think of us, after everything she''s done for us? I''m begging you, please, just stop! If someone gets killed, a prison sentence won''t fix it!"


    "Did I ever ask her to meddle?"


    Sophia shot back, her gaze frigid. "My child if something happens, then that''s his fate! But one thing won''t stand for is him mistaking someone else for his mothe He belongs to me. No one else."


    Nathaniel stared at her, stunned. After a long moment, his voice trembled with disbelief. "What... What do you even see Julian as?”


    "What do I see him as?" Sophia let out a coldugh, her tone full of contempt. "As


    the curse I gave myself when I was young and stupid, sleeping with some filthy animal and bringing another traitor into this world!"


    Like father, like son.


    Suddenly impatient, she shoved Nathaniel aside and strode toward the car waiting at the end of the alley.


    Nathaniel stood there, too shocked to move. Eventually, he stumbled after her, lost for words.


    They walked in silence. Just as they neared the alley''s exit, Sophia ground out her cigarette, spun around, and looked at Nathaniel with a nk expression.


    "Get Julian''s enrollment sorted out as soon as possible. He''ll go to the same


    school as Adrian Montgomery, same year, same ss."


    "No way!" Nathaniel''s face paled, and he refused outright.


    A year ago, when Julian and Adrianst met, it had ended in disaster. Even if Julian didn''t remember, Nathaniel would never risk putting the two of them together again. The Montgomery kid''s


    nov


    temperament-there was no telling what could happen.


    But Sophia could never know that. She might not be the warmest mother, but she''d never allow her son to be bullied.


    If she found out...


    “Sophia, Julian just got back. Let''s hire a private tutor for now, give him some time. There''s no rush for school. We can wait-"


    "Wait for what?" Sophia snapped, cutting him off. "It''s settled. He''s old enough- he should be in school, not hiding at home. That''s why he''s not getting better!"