16| The Birthday Party

Sophie stretched out, sinking deeper into comfort. She had found a new favorite ritual—one she fully intended to indulge in whenever she had the chance.

A book in her hands, soft music playing in the background, a chilled drink on a tray, and candles flickering softly around the room.

This was relaxation. This was bliss.

Mia, of course, would have disagreed, claiming Sophie was setting the scene for a full-blown ritual sacrifice. Maybe she had gone a little overboard with the number of candles, but Mia wasn't here to judge her tonight.

Neither was Ethan.

He worked late, and she had gotten used to it. But that didn't stop the small, annoying part of her from missing him.

She took a slow sip of her drink, letting the coolness soothe her. This was what she needed, especially after the past few nights.

Even work at the shop had been exhausting—between the rush of customers and preparing for an upcoming event, her fingers hurt from arranging bouquets all day.

Her eyes flickered toward the clock. He's still not home.

Then again, he had told her not to wait up for him.

She liked him. She really liked him. But God, he got on her nerves sometimes.

And yet, stupidly, she always found herself waiting—waiting to hear his car pull into the garage, waiting for the sound of his footsteps coming into the house.

She shook off the thought, turning back to her book.

Then, right on cue, she heard the familiar hum of his car, followed by the rhythmic sound of his approaching footsteps. She instantly perked up before scolding herself. This is a one-sided disaster waiting to happen. Get a grip, Sophie.

The door opened, and Ethan walked in, looking thoroughly exhausted. His tie was already loosened, his hair slightly disheveled, his entire posture exuding fatigue. He needs a hot shower and eight hours of sleep.

Instead, all Sophie could think was how effortlessly attractive he looked, like he had just stepped out of one of those Calvin Klein ads with men in half-buttoned shirts and a brooding, sleep-deprived expression.

He had unintentionally perfected the lazy, tired, ridiculously good-looking aesthetic, and honestly, he needed to be signed ASAP.

"Sophie," he greeted, his voice low and lazy.

Why did that sound so attractive?

"Hey," she replied, setting her book aside and trying her best to sound casual. "Are you good?"

"I'll be. Just work," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

There was a pause, just long enough for Sophie to notice the slight hesitation in his stance, the way he looked like he wanted to say something but wasn't sure how.

"There's something I need to ask you," he finally said.

Sophie sat up, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Ethan exhaled, as if he had debated whether to bring it up at all. "David is throwing a birthday party tomorrow. Normally, I'd ignore him, but... it's his birthday after all."

He glanced at her briefly before continuing, "Would you like to come with me?"

For a moment, Sophie just blinked.

Not a business event. Not a formal gala. Just... his best friend's birthday party.

This wasn't something she had to attend—it was something he was asking her to go to.

She kept her expression neutral, but inside, she was practically screaming.

"Yes, sure. I'd love to come," she said, keeping her voice as even as possible.

Ethan nodded, and if she wasn't mistaken, there was the faintest look of relief on his face. "Great. It's tomorrow evening. I'll pick you up after work."

Sophie nodded, forcing herself not to overthink it.

Don't get ahead of yourself, Sophie.

But a part of her couldn't help but wonder—was this progress?

*******

The next evening, Sophie had gone home early to get ready. Now, she stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of her dress for the hundredth time. She turned slightly, checking it from different angles, then turned back, second-guessing herself.

Was this too much? Or not enough?

Mia and Lily had helped, of course.

She'd debated getting a new dress altogether—she didn't want to look out of place among Ethan's wealthy friends. She could afford it, technically. When she married Ethan, she received a very generous allowance, along with that dangerously sleek black card sitting untouched in her drawer.

But she liked her life simple. She'd rather use that money for the shop, for her mother and Lily. A thousand-dollar dress just didn't feel like a wise investment.

Lily hadn't shared her concerns, though. She'd pulled up a website, selected a dress, and ordered it right then and there in front of Mia and Sophie.

Sophie had gasped. Mia had smirked. And Lily had simply shrugged.

"You're literally a Sinclair now, Sophie," she had said. "Let me live vicariously through your wardrobe."

Now, as she stood before the mirror, she had to admit—it was a stunning dress. Deep emerald green, the shade making her green eyes pop. The fabric hugged her figure in all the right places, the mid-length hem giving it just the right balance of elegance and allure.

Yet, here she was. Overthinking.

"Sophie?" Ethan's voice called from downstairs.

She startled, snapping out of her thoughts. "Yeah, just a minute! I'm ready."

Grabbing her purse, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves before descending the staircase. The click-clack of her heels echoed softly against the floors as she walked down.

Ethan was already waiting for her at the bottom.

He was dressed in another one of his perfectly tailored suits, except this time, he had left out the jacket. The slightly undone look made him seem both effortlessly casual and irritatingly attractive.

His blue eyes lifted to meet hers.

And for just a second, something shifted in his expression.

Sophie almost convinced herself she imagined it. That she was being delusional, reading into things that weren't there.

Still... she wanted to see it. She wanted to be sure she wasn't imagining things.

She swallowed, pushing aside her ridiculous thoughts. "How do I look?" The moment she asked, she immediately wanted to slap herself. Why did she say that?

To make it worse, she twirled.

Oh my God.

Ethan's lips curled into a small, amused smile, but his gaze lingered as he answered, "You look beautiful."

Sophie had asked the question. She had expected a response.

But nothing could have prepared her for the way those words stole her breath.

The warmth in his voice, the way his gaze lingered—it caught her completely off guard.

She turned her head quickly, too quickly, embarrassed by how much those simple words affected her. "L-let's go," she stammered, walking ahead before she could embarrass herself any further.

Ethan chuckled under his breath but said nothing as he followed.

The drive to David's penthouse was quiet, the city lights casting a soft glow through the car windows.

While Sophie was excited to see David—who, from what she'd gathered, seemed like an overall good chap—there was also Claire. And that was something she wasn't looking forward to.

She hated how Claire made her feel—insecure, jealous, uncertain—but that was her own problem, wasn't it? Claire wasn't doing anything wrong, not really. Ethan wasn't, either.

Still.

She was determined not to let bad vibes ruin her night. Make friends with Claire. Smile through the awkwardness. Enjoy the evening.

The moment they arrived, Sophie felt her breath hitch.

David's penthouse was... something else.

Just when she thought she had adjusted to luxury, another room, another estate, another Sinclair-adjacent event proved her wrong. The panoramic city views stretched across floor-to-ceiling windows, the lavish décor striking a perfect balance between opulence and modern charm.

The sound of music, laughter, and clinking glasses filled the air, a gentle hum of energy that made the night feel alive.

At least it felt casual—a welcome change from the formal events she'd had to endure.

"Sophie! Ethan!"

David's voice rang out before they even made it past the entryway.

The man himself strolled toward them, a drink already in hand, grinning as he pulled Sophie into an easy, friendly hug while completely ignoring Ethan.

"You look fantastic, Sophie," David praised before turning to Ethan with mock disapproval. "And I told you to leave the suits at home. Look at you. This is embarrassing."

Sophie laughed at the sheer injustice of it all.

Ethan, deadpan as ever, merely replied, "Happy birthday."

Except it sounded more like a threat.

David smirked, thoroughly amused. "Oh, lighten up. I know you're contractually obligated to be a killjoy, but tonight, you're my guest."

Sophie chuckled, already feeling more comfortable. "Thanks for inviting us."

David waved a dismissive hand. "Who else would I invite? Ethan's never good company, anyway."

Sophie laughed again as they followed David further inside. The penthouse was massive—more than enough space for the well-dressed guests scattered throughout the party.

She was very glad she'd gone with the fancier gown.

Ethan, thankfully, stayed close by her side. She wasn't entirely sure she was ready to socialize yet.

"David seems really nice," Sophie whispered as they navigated the room.

"He's really not," Ethan deadpanned, though his eyes carried a rare warmth. "But he's occasionally tolerable."

Sophie smirked. "You two love each other."

"Slow down, Sophie," Ethan replied, tone impossibly dry. "Not that kind of relationship."

"Are you bad-mouthing me?" David reappeared, drinks in hand for them, looking utterly offended. "Come on, you two. Let me show you the best view in the city."

David led them to a spacious balcony, where the skyline stretched endlessly before them, the city shimmering beneath the dark expanse of night.

"Isn't this something?" he asked, gesturing grandly.

Sophie's eyes widened in wonder. "It's incredible."

Ethan, unimpressed, glanced at the view. "It looks exactly like the last view you showed me, David."

David let out a dramatic sigh. "That's because you have the best view at your office. Show Sophie sometime."

Then, turning to Sophie, his expression softened. "I am really glad you could make it, Sophie. These people? Exhausting. I know I'm one of them, but still—don't feel bad if you start wishing you were home watching reality TV instead."

Sophie laughed, relaxing. "Hearing you say that makes me feel so much better."

David grinned. "Now, let me know if this one—" he nodded toward Ethan, "—misbehaves. He doesn't listen to me, but maybe together we can bully him into having a personality."

Sophie laughed again, genuinely enjoying herself. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Oh, and one more thing." David sipped his drink. "He owes me a favor, and I'm feeling generous, so I'm officially transferring that favor to you." He winked. "Use it wisely."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Is this, like, a get-out-of-jail-free card?"

"Basically. So don't waste it on something lame, like making him take you to dinner or whatever. Think bigger."

A voice called David's name from inside, cutting their conversation short.

"Ugh. Duty calls," he groaned. "Enjoy yourselves, and please—make sure Ethan actually talks to people while I'm gone."

As David disappeared back into the party, Sophie turned to Ethan, smiling. "He's great. I can see why you're friends."

"I didn't have much of a choice. He just wouldn't leave me alone."

Sophie laughed, storing that piece of information away for later. Maybe if she stuck around long enough, Ethan would start liking her, too.

The sounds of music and laughter filled the space behind them, but for a few moments, Sophie let herself enjoy the quiet. Standing there, next to Ethan, the city stretched before them—she felt oddly... content.

Ethan's phone buzzed, breaking the stillness.

He glanced at the screen and sighed. "I have to take this."

Sophie nodded, forcing an easy smile. "Go ahead. I'll be fine."

Ethan stepped away, phone pressed to his ear. Sophie turned back to the view, exhaling slowly.

He returned a few minutes later, his expression more serious. "This will take a little longer. Go inside without me—I'll come find you."

Sophie nodded again. "It's okay. I understand."

She did understand.

It was work.

She could understand work.

Didn't mean she liked it.

******

Sophie re-entered the party, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. Like before, she found herself engaging in light conversations—smiling at the right moments, laughing when expected.

But even as she socialized, a small weight pressed on her chest.

She hadn't seen Claire yet.

She knew Claire was here somewhere, but the absence of her presence felt almost more unnerving. It gave Sophie a temporary sense of peace—one she hated herself for craving.

As she made her way past a group of well-dressed women, their hushed voices caught her attention.

"I still can't believe Ethan actually went through with the marriage," one woman murmured, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

"Especially after everything Claire told us," another replied. "Everyone thought they would end up together. Their families practically arranged it."

Sophie froze mid-step.

She instinctively turned toward the nearest painting on the wall, pretending to admire it as her ears strained to hear the conversation.

Claire and Ethan?

Marriage?

A sharp pang cut through her chest. Claire had introduced herself as Ethan's friend. That was all. Friend. Ethan never talked much about his friendships, but Sophie had assumed that meant there wasn't much to talk about.

But now?

The weight in her chest tightened.

So she wasn't crazy for thinking Claire was too comfortable around him.

She swallowed hard, willing the feeling away, but before she could gather her thoughts, a voice interrupted her from behind.

"Sophie! I've been looking for you all night."

Claire.

The overly chirpy tone made Sophie's stomach sink.

She turned, forcing a polite smile. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but maybe Claire had already sensed something—or overheard the conversation herself.

"Are you alright, dear?" Claire's voice was smooth, almost sweet, but something about the way she said dear made Sophie's skin prickle. "You look a bit pale."

The dear didn't sound affectionate, and the concern didn't look real.

Sophie forced a small laugh, reaching for an excuse. "Maybe I drank too much champagne."

Claire tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "You must be overwhelmed," she mused.

"All these people you don't know, all these connections, these... histories. It's a lot, especially for an outsider. But I commend you."

Sophie's smile froze.

Outsider.

Claire had said it so sweetly, like a compliment. But it wasn't.

Sophie knew what it meant.

Claire wanted to remind her that she didn't belong.

Claire sighed dramatically, as if recalling something sentimental. "Some of the girls were a little wary of me at first," she continued.

"You know how Ethan is. He doesn't make friends easily. And since I was the only one he ever really let in, people assumed..."

She trailed off, watching Sophie closely, like she was waiting for the words to sink in.

Sophie clenched her fists.

Where is this going?

Claire gave a small, apologetic smile. "Our families wanted us to marry, you know. Oh... Sophie, did you not know?"

Mock surprise.

It was mock surprise.

Sophie said nothing. She couldn't.

Claire leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "It wasn't public information, of course, but Ethan and I have always had a special bond. Some things... no one can break."

Was that a threat?

Claire's smile didn't waver. "He never really talked to girls, you know? He was always distant, but with me? I was the exception. I was the only one he let in."

She reached out, brushing an invisible speck from Sophie's sleeve in an overly familiar gesture. "But don't feel bad, Sophie."

Her voice was sickly sweet.

"It's not your fault that you ended a good relationship. I'm sure you had your reasons for marrying Ethan."

Sophie felt her heart hammering against her ribs. Her fingers clenched tighter around her clutch. She wanted to say something, anything—but her emotions tangled in her throat.

And then Claire smirked.

"Like your flower shop," she mused, as she took a pause to sip her drink. "Such an expensive hobby. But I get it. If I were in your shoes, I would have married for money too—"

"Sophie! There you are," David said, appearing out of nowhere with an easy grin. "I've been looking for you."

Relief flooded her.

"Care to join me for a drink over there?"

Sophie nodded quickly. "Of course."

David turned to Claire, flashing a teasing smirk. "Claire, none for you. We don't need lightweights tonight."

Claire's expression soured slightly, but she masked it quickly with another tight-lipped smile. "Enjoy yourselves," she said smoothly. "Let's talk later, Sophie."

Sophie didn't want to talk later. She also never wanted to talk to Claire again.

David led her toward a quieter corner of the room, putting a safe distance between them. The moment they stopped walking, his playful energy softened.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently.

Sophie let out a breath, trying to gather herself. "I just—it's nothing."

David's gaze studied her. "Claire?"

Sophie hesitated.

David sighed knowingly. "She plays dirty. But for what it's worth, you're handling this world better than most."

Sophie forced a weak smile. "Thanks."

David gave her a look of genuine warmth. "Sophie, you light up the room. Don't let anyone dim that."

His words meant more than she could say. But before she could fully process them, a question slipped from her lips.

"Ethan and Claire..." she hesitated.

David didn't even let her finish. "Ethan sees her as his little sister," he said flatly. "Don't overthink it."

Sophie's stomach twisted.

The fact that he saw Claire as family somehow felt worse.

She had wanted an answer that would erase the doubt, but this one just made it sit heavier. Family meant loyalty, trust, familiarity.

She wished he saw Claire as nothing—just another acquaintance, just another face in a crowded room.

David made small talk, trying to distract her, but Sophie's mind was already elsewhere.

And then Ethan appeared.

His gaze flicked between her and David. "Everything okay?"

"Just fine," David replied easily. "I'll leave you to your wife." He turned to Sophie, giving her a supportive nod before stepping away.

Sophie's mood had plummeted.

And yet, as the evening wore on, Ethan stayed by her side, not leaving her even once.

But still... she couldn't find the courage to ask him about Claire.

She wanted answers. She needed them.

But she wasn't sure she could handle it if her fears turned out to be true.

-------

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