40| Tensions at the Luncheon

Claire made her way to Evelyn's group, her face adorned with a sugary smile. As she approached, she put on her most charming demeanor, greeting everyone warmly. "Ladies, it's so lovely to see you all," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Evelyn nodded in acknowledgment. "Claire, good to see you," she said, her tone calm but firm.

Claire turned to Sophie with a practiced smile. "Sophie, it's nice to see you again," she said, her eyes flicking over Sophie's dress. "You look lovely."

"Thank you, Claire," Sophie replied, seeing through her fake kindness.

"So, what were you ladies talking about? You all seemed to be having such a wonderful conversation I just had to join in."

Linda, a kind-hearted woman who now had soft spot for Sophie, beamed. "We were all talking about Sophie. She's such an angel, isn't she?" The women nodded in agreement.

Claire bit her tongue, forcing herself to smile. "She has her charm," she managed to say through gritted teeth.

The other ladies began to gush about Sophie. "Sophie, your work sounds amazing," Margaret said. "I'd love to see some of your arrangements."

"You should all visit the flower shop," Sophie suggested with a friendly smile. "I'd love to have you."

"That sounds lovely. I love visiting new places—I don't discriminate, even... quaint ones," Claire said, stressing the last word with a faint smirk.

Sophie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Claire just couldn't let a single opportunity slip by without taking a jab at her shop.

Without missing a beat, Sophie countered, her tone light but pointed. "That won't be your first time, right, Claire? You've visited before, haven't you?"

Claire blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Oh, right! I forgot. I do visit so many places, it's hard to keep track," she said with a laugh that sounded just a little too forced.

The other ladies exchanged subtle glances, sensing the underlying tension. They sipped their wine, wisely choosing to stay out of it.

"Claire, I've been waiting for a wedding invitation," one of the women said, changing the subject. The other women chimed in with nods and murmurs of agreement, clearly curious about Claire's romantic life.

Claire forced a smile, struggling to keep her frustration in check. "Oh, you know how these things are. Finding the right partner takes time," she replied, her laugh a bit too forced.

"Being married is such a beautiful thing, isn't it? Sophie, explain to her. Maybe she'll listen to you since she won't listen to us old ladies," another woman teased, giving Sophie a nudge.

Sophie caught the subtle glint in Claire's eyes, but she wasn't about to let the opportunity slide. She knew it was petty, but after Claire's constant digs, it felt justified.

"You're absolutely right," Sophie said, her smile sweet but purposeful. "I love being married. It's even better when your husband is such a good person... and handsome too."

The group burst into laughter, the light-hearted teasing putting Claire visibly on edge.

"You should have seen my husband when we first got married," another woman chimed in, fanning the laughter. "I swear, I only married him for his face!"

Claire's smile tightened further. "Indeed, Ethan is very handsome. We are really close, so I did spend some time admiring that face. I'm sure he's told you how silly I was."

Sophie felt a spark of irritation but kept her expression steady. "Ethan doesn't really talk about you," she replied with casual nonchalance, her words carefully chosen to undercut Claire's attempt at dominance.

"Why would he, when he's occupied with his beautiful wife?" another woman teased, causing the group to laugh. Sophie took a slow sip of her drink, enjoying the subtle victory.

Claire's smile froze for a fraction of a second before her face hardened. Her tongue moved faster than her mind. "She's not even—"

However Evelyn intervened before Claire could finish. "Why don't we all take our seats? Lunch is about to begin."

The group began to shuffle toward the dining area. As Sophie moved past Claire, she leaned in, her voice a whisper laced with quiet confidence. "Your facade is slipping."

Claire's expression darkened, her mouth tightening into a grim line. If looks could kill, Sophie would've been struck down on the spot.

Evelyn explained that the seating arrangements had been made according to age groups to encourage interaction among younger members. To Sophie's dismay, this meant she was seated next to Claire and surrounded by her group of "friends."

*******

As the luncheon commenced, the air was thick with polite conversation and an unspoken tension. Claire leaned closer to Sophie, her voice a low, venomous murmur. "I saw the little stunt you pulled earlier, acting like you know anything about Ethan. Let me save you the trouble—it'll get you nowhere."

Sophie's grip on her fork tightened, but she kept her face calm. "Of course, only you would say that," she replied evenly. "Considering how much you like to remind everyone that you practically raised him. Who needs a mother when they have you?"

Before Claire could retort, appetizers were served, and Evelyn began her opening speech. But the peace didn't last long.

One of Claire's friends smirked, turning to Sophie with feigned curiosity. "Sophie, I feel like we know so little about you. Where did you go to school again?"

Sophie sighed inwardly, recognizing where this line of questioning was headed. "I went to Briarwood College and studied botany," she replied calmly.

"How fitting," the woman replied with a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes. "For a girl like you. They say if you don't have a trust fund, it's better to focus on your education."

Sophie's fork paused mid-air. A girl like me? What the hell did that even mean?

Claire, ever the master of subtle manipulation, pretended to play peacemaker. "Ladies, be nice," she said, her tone dripping with insincerity. "Not everyone has to go to an Ivy League school to make an impression. Sophie's done well for herself... considering."

Sophie kept her expression neutral, though her blood simmered. "Considering what?" she asked, her voice quiet but pointed.

Claire smiled, taking a slow sip of her wine. "Oh, nothing at all, dear. Just that we all come from... different backgrounds."

Another woman, clearly enjoying the show, interjected. "By the way, Sophie, I love your dress. It's so... unique."

"Thank you," Sophie replied smoothly, her voice steady. "My mother-in-law gifted it to me."

At the mention of Evelyn, the woman's smile wavered, and a flicker of discomfort crossed her face. No one wanted to find themselves in Evelyn's bad graces—not even among this polished group.

Claire leaned back in her chair, a slow, deliberate smile curving her lips. "It's charming, really," she mused, her tone dripping with feigned admiration. "Seeing someone who would never wear designer suddenly step into it—tell me, does it feel like a real Cinderella moment?"

Sophie met Claire's gaze head-on, her own smile unwavering but tight. "I couldn't agree more," she replied, her voice calm with just the right touch of sweetness. "Everyone deserves a Cinderella moment... especially when they get to keep the prince."

Claire's smile faltered, just for a second, but Sophie caught it. Around the table, the women forced out a round of polite laughter, trying to smooth over the awkward tension.

"You're so interesting, Sophie," one of Claire's friends interjected, her tone dripping with faux admiration.

"You must know that Ethan and Claire here practically grew up together," another chimed in, clearly trying to redirect the attention.

"Oh, I've been hearing that a lot lately," Sophie replied through thinly veiled sarcasm, her lips pressing into a tight smile. Just how many times would she have to hear the same tired line?

Claire waved her hand, her tone dripping with insincere kindness. "Stop, ladies. Don't do that to Sophie," she said, flashing her most sympathetic smile. "We were never more than friends, I promise, Sophie. But, you know, people love to get the wrong idea."

Sophie's eyes narrowed slightly, but her voice was plain and unaffected. "I didn't."

The table erupted into stiff, uncomfortable laughter.

"It's just, in our circles, we always get married within the circles," one of Claire's friends added, her voice carrying an air of smug exclusivity.

Sophie almost rolled her eyes. Did they realize they sounded like they were part of some bloodline cult? "I see," she replied, feigning interest but with a noticeable air of boredom.

The women, sensing their humiliation attempts weren't landing, gradually drifted back into their own private conversations. Sophie was more than happy to be excluded, grateful for the sudden peace and quiet.

After the main courses were cleared, just before dessert, Evelyn approached Sophie, her kind demeanor cutting through the lingering tension. "Are you having fun, Sophie?" she asked softly, her voice laced with genuine concern.

Sophie hesitated. She had enjoyed parts of the experience—the older women's stories were fascinating and insightful. But being around Claire and her clique had left her drained. "The food is delicious," Sophie whispered back. At least that wasn't a lie.

Evelyn smiled warmly. "Oh, forget tradition. Since it's just dessert, come sit by me. We have so much to talk about."

Normally, Sophie would have politely declined and reassured Evelyn that she was fine where she was. But this time, Evelyn's kindness felt like a lifeline, and Sophie decided to accept it. Evelyn gently took her arm and led her to sit beside her. From that moment on, the rest of the luncheon felt much easier.

******

After the luncheon, Sophie found herself crossing paths with Claire again. It was now or never to clear the air. "Claire, can we talk privately for a moment?" Sophie asked, her tone firm but polite.

Claire raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. Despite her composed facade, Sophie could see the flicker of curiosity in her expression. "Of course," Claire replied smoothly, though her words carried a trace of sarcasm.

They moved to a quiet corner away from the other guests, the murmurs of polite conversation and clinking glasses fading into the background.

"I know what you're doing," Sophie began, her voice steady but pointed. "I don't know what I did to upset you, Claire, but it's obvious you dislike me. I don't care what went down between you and Ethan—it's not my business. But I'll tell you this: I won't accept your rudeness or bullying anymore."

Claire's smirk deepened, a flicker of malice in her sharp gaze. "Oh, really?" she said mockingly. "Confidence is admirable, Sophie. But don't mistake it for knowing your place."

Sophie's expression didn't waver. "I'm well aware of where I stand with Ethan. We're married, Claire. Your petty comments won't change that."

Claire took a deliberate step closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "You think you can just stroll into this world and fit in? You don't even know the half of what you're dealing with. Ethan may be your husband, but there's so much you don't know."

Sophie stood her ground, her voice calm but tinged with steel. "I know enough to trust him. And I know enough to see through you. Whatever unresolved feelings you're harboring, they're yours to deal with—not mine. I'm not here to be your punching bag."

Claire let out a brittle laugh, more cutting than genuine. "Oh, Sophie. You must think you're invincible because Evelyn's taken a liking to you. But let me remind you—Ethan and I have years of history. How can you possibly compete with that?"

Sophie's lips curved into a faint, unshaken smile. "History is just that—history. What matters is the present. And right now, Ethan chose me. That's enough for me."

Claire's mask of composure slipped momentarily, her eyes darkening with barely concealed anger. "You're delusional if you think you can just waltz in and take my place."

Sophie shook her head, her expression soft but unyielding. "It's almost ridiculous that we even have to do this, Claire. I'm not fighting over Ethan with you. And I didn't take your place or replace anyone. I'm here as myself, and that's enough for Ethan."

Claire's jaw tightened, her voice a venomous hiss. "We'll see how long you can keep up this act, Sophie. Don't think for a second that this is over."

Sophie's calm didn't falter as she met Claire's glare head-on. "I'm not afraid of you, Claire. And I won't let you treat me like this anymore. Consider this your last warning."

For a moment, Claire just stared, her eyes burning with anger. But Sophie didn't flinch. She held her ground, refusing to give Claire the reaction she wanted. Finally, Claire scoffed, turning on her heel and walking away.

Sophie watched her go, feeling a small surge of satisfaction. She had stood her ground, proving to herself—and to Claire—that she wasn't someone to be intimidated. Claire had wanted a scene, had hoped to get under her skin, but Sophie wasn't about to give her that satisfaction.

Not now. Not ever.

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