Chapter 75

"Tell me that wasn't Emily I just heard barking orders over the phone," I muttered to myself, leaning against the corner of the library.

Although I had gone here to look for Ethan, I ended up overhearing a conversation that I wasn't supposed to hear. Sophie was talking to Emily on the phone when her low voice could be heard over the still room. Although she spoke steadily, I had to pause because of the faint trembling and underlying uneasiness.

"I understand, Em. You're justdifferent lately, that's all," Sophie said softly. "I just want to check in with you."

Her voice dipped even more, becoming almost audible. I grabbed tidbits of information: danger, secrets, stress-words that made my mind race.

I should not have been listening in. But I didn't move.

With a groan, Sophie hung up the phone, her fingers clutching it as if it were the only thing supporting her. Her face was etched with the weight of her thoughts as she rubbed her temples.

The thought struck me at that moment.

I said nonchalantly, "Hey, Sophie," emerging from the corner as if I hadn't been listening to everything.

Her eyes widened in surprise as her head shot up. "Ben? What are you doing here?"

"Research," I replied with a grin, holding up a random book I'd grabbed from a nearby shelf. "Or if Ethan asks, I'll tell him that, at the very least."

Her shoulders eased a little, but she rolled her eyes. "Obviously."

I said, "Come on," and put the book back on the shelf. "I know of a fantastic café in the area. You appear in need of a respite from whatever it was and a good cup of coffee. I gave her phone a hazy gesture.

She bit her lip with hesitation. "I'm not sure."

"Please," I pleaded, trying to look as appealing as possible. "For me, if not for you. I've been stuck in this family's drama for so long, I've forgotten what normal people talk about."

That earned a small laugh, the kind that sounded like it hadn't come easily. "All right. But if the coffee's bad, I'm blaming you."

I said, "Deal," and walked out first.

The café had a lively, pleasant atmosphere, with a constant scent of freshly ground coffee and baked goodies. I signaled a waiter as we located a little table by the window.

"Two coffees," I said, then turned to Sophie. "Or do you need something fancier? A caramel drizzle oat milk whatever?"

She grinned. "You think I'm that high maintenance?"

"Just covering my bases," I said with a grin.

After the waiter departed, Sophie reclined in her chair and observed me closely. "So, what's your angle?"

"What's my angle?"

She raised an eyebrow and remarked, "You don't just 'accidentally' run into someone twice in a week."

I scratched the back of my neck and laughed. "All fine, I understand. I noticed you've beena little off lately. I thought you could benefit from some companionship."

She glanced down at the table as her smile wavered. "I had no idea it was that clear."

I said, "Hey, I'm just perceptive." I'm also a Ph.D. holder in Monroe Drama Studies. Comes with the territory."

That made me laugh again, but this time it was gentler and had a hint of sadness. "It's simply Emily." She is unique. I'm not sure if it's Ethan, the business, or something else, but I feel like I'm losing her.

I wasn't prepared for how hard her remarks struck. Even though I didn't know Sophie for very long, I could tell she loved Emily. Something in me that I wasn't used to feeling was pulled when I saw her so engrossed in it.

"You're not losing her," I firmly stated. Emily is tough. Right now, she's just in deep. She is still Emily, though.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she murmured, "I hope you're right."

The waiter came back with our coffee before I could say anything further to reassure them. I grimaced when I took a sip.

"Well, I was mistaken. "This coffee is awful," I replied, eliciting a sincere chuckle from Sophie.

She teased, "This place was suggested by you."

"And I'll never live it down," I said with a dramatic sigh. "Add it to the list of my faults."

"Faults?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You, Ben Fisher, have faults?"

I leaned closer and said, "Shocking, I know." "However, I'll tell you a secret: I'm not as flawless as I appear."

She rolled her eyes, yet suddenly there was a glimmer of something lighter, a warmth in her face.

We continued our discourse, moving from lighthearted to more somber subjects. I briefly discussed with her my position at Monroe Enterprises, the concessions I had to make, and the things I had witnessed.

I acknowledged, "It's not easy." "Coming into this world." There are moments when it seems like the shadows are always following you.

She looked thoughtfully as she nodded. "I suppose I was unaware of how much you were also juggling."

I smiled wryly and added, "Well, I'm not exactly the epitome of emotional transparency."

A smile twitched her lips. "I'm not joking."

Although it sounded a little anxious, I laughed. The words escaped my lips before I could stop myself. But I enjoy our conversations. It's...different.

Sophie blinked, obviously taken aback. "In a different way?"

I scratched the back of my neck once again as I paused. "I'm not sure. You're simply...interesting.

I saw what I had just said as her eyebrows went upward.

She smiled and leaned back, saying, "Oh, wow." "Interesting, eh? It's a novel one.

I whispered, my face getting hot, "Don't make me regret it."

I experienced a peculiar sensation of relief when she laughed, the sound gentle and effortless.

While the cool night air settled about us, I walked her back to her apartment.

When we arrived at Sophie's building, she murmured, "Thanks for tonight." "This was what I needed."

I said, "Anytime," with more significance than I had anticipated.

She smiled, and I considered adding something more for a second. Before I could, though, her face changed, her eyes darting to the door.

"What's the matter?" I inquired.

Her smile was gone, but she shook her head. "Nothin'. Just once more, Ben, thank you.

She unlocked the door and entered, and I watched. I heard Emily's voice faintly coming from the other room just as it closed.

Her tone was sharper than I had ever heard her say, "No, that's not good enough." "Just fix it; I don't care what it takes."

I was left alone on the sidewalk when the door snapped shut.

What was going on inside wasn't good. Sophie also recognized it, based on her expression.