Marcus watched Sophiaâs performance in silence. After a while, he finally spoke. âHe didnât say anything about you; he just seemed a bit upset.â
Over the years, he had seen far too many of Sophiaâs performances. No matter how convincing she was, he could always tell when she was putting on an act. But what could he do about it? His legs were useless, and he was stuck in Sophiaâs web of manipulation, only being able to play along with her charades.
Sophia sighed. âIs Tristan upset? When he wakes up, Iâll make sure to cheer him up.â
Marcus simply hummed in response, not saying another word.
Sophia quickly changed the subject. âOh, Marcus, my father mentioned that we should all go out for dinner tonight. He didnât want to put the burden on Bertha to cook for all of us, so heâs already made a reservation at a restaurant.â
Marcus frowned slightly. âCan I not go?â
Sophia shook her head. âMarcus, you didnât go to the airport this morning, and my father was a bit upset about that. If you donât show up for this family dinner, he is going to be even more disappointed in you. You care about what my father thinks of you, donât you?â
Marcusâ gaze darkened. âAlright, I understand.â
Sophia leaned in closer to him. âSo, youâre saying youâll go, right?â
Marcus nodded. âIâll go. Can you find something suitable for me to wear tonight?â
Sophia laughed. âMarcus! I knew you wouldnât let me down! Alright, Iâll go find you something to wear right away!â
Her excitement made her voice louder than she intended.
Marcus frowned, holding a finger up to his lips and glancing at the sleeping child on the bed.
Sophia quickly lowered her voice. âSorry, I got too excited. Thank god we didnât wake Tristan up.
Marcus, Iâll go find you some clothes.â
Once Marcus nodded, he maneuvered his wheelchair to face the large window, squinting out at the sky.
He didnât want to go, and he didnât consider himself part of Sophiaâs family, so there was no need for a family dinner.
In the past, he didnât know his own background and had to believe what they told him.
Now that he knew his past, he saw Sophia and her father as the ones responsible for his current condition. They pretended to be his family, which was laughable.
On the other side of town.
Ellinor stood by the window in her room, her eyes full of weariness as she stared at the clouds in the sky.
âSo, you didnât actually get to see Lady Lotus?â
There was unmistakable disappointment in her voice.
Balfour stood next to her, sighing. âI almost did, but she noticed there was a stranger in my friendâs house and left before coming upstairs.
My friend tried to arrange another meeting, but she refused and even returned the tuition my friend had paid her, saying she wouldnât teach her anymore.â
Ellinor frowned in confusion. âWhy would an art teacher be so cautious about strangers?â
âI find it strange too, but I couldnât persuade her to meet.â