Second chance

Chapter4

Chapter 4: Sunday Dinner

"You don't have to dress up," Aria had texted. "Mom's making lasagna. Come hungry."

Sofia stood in front of her dorm mirror and stared at her reflection.

Her best sweater had a tiny hole near the left cuff. She tugged the sleeve down over her hand. Her jeans were clean. Her hair was pulled back. She looked fine. She looked like herself.

She still felt like she was about to walk into a world she didn't belong in.

Her phone buzzed again.

Aria: And don't say you're busy. I already told Mom you're coming and she made extra.

Sofia smiled despite herself and typed back: On my way, princess.

Aria: Bring your appetite, peasant.

The penthouse was warm when they arrived. The elevator opened directly into the foyer, and the smell hit Sofia immediately. Garlic. Tomato. Fresh basil. Home.

"Sofia!" Elena Castellano appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a flour-dusted apron. She didn't hesitate. She pulled Sofia into a tight hug. "There's my girl. Let me look at you. You're too thin."

"Hi, Elena," Sofia said, her voice muffled against Elena's shoulder. "It smells amazing."

"Flattery will get you extra cheese," Elena said, kissing her cheek. "Aria, take her bag. Wash your hands, both of you."

"Mom, she's not five," Aria laughed, but she took Sofia's worn tote anyway and hung it by the door like it belonged there.

Leonardo Castellano came out of his study, loosening his tie. When he saw them, his whole face changed.

"There's my two troublemakers," he said.

"Hi, Dad," Aria said, hugging him.

"Hi, Mr. Castellano," Sofia said quietly.

"Leonardo," he corrected gently. "How many Sundays do we need before you believe me?"

"Sorry. Leonardo," Sofia said. It still felt strange in her mouth.

Dinner was loud in the best way. The dining table was too big for four people, but Elena insisted on using it. A massive pan of lasagna sat in the center, steam rising. Salad. Fresh bread. Sparkling water with lemon for the girls, red wine for Leonardo and Elena.

"Okay, so Professor Han," Aria said, twirling her fork, "put this impossible case on the board today. Like, no one got it. And Sofia just—" she snapped her fingers, "—solved it. In like, two minutes."

Elena's eyes widened. "Really?"

"It wasn't two minutes," Sofia said quickly, feeling her ears burn. "It was—"

"It was two minutes," Aria insisted. "She's a genius. Tell them what you said about the supply chain."

"It was nothing," Sofia mumbled, staring at her plate.

"It was not nothing," Leonardo said. He leaned forward, genuinely interested. "What was your read?"

Sofia hesitated. She wasn't used to adults asking her opinion like it mattered.

"Well," she said slowly, "the company was losing money on expedited shipping because they were treating every order as urgent. I just said they should segment by margin. High-margin gets air freight. Low-margin waits for consolidated sea freight."

Leonardo stared at her, then laughed. A deep, surprised laugh.

"That's exactly what we did in 2019," he said. "Saved us four million. Aria, your friend has better instincts than half my managers."

Aria beamed. "Told you."

Sofia looked down. Her lasagna suddenly blurred.

"Eat, sweetheart," Elena said softly, noticing. She reached over and put more on Sofia's plate without asking. "You work too hard."

After dinner, Aria helped Elena clear plates, arguing about who got the crispy corner piece. Leonardo touched Sofia's elbow lightly.

"Walk with me to the balcony? I need air."

Sofia nodded. Her stomach tightened.

Outside, the city glittered below. Cold air brushed her face. Leonardo leaned on the railing, quiet for a moment.

"How is your mother?" he asked.

Sofia gripped her sweater sleeve, covering the hole. "Better. The last treatment worked. She's resting."

"Good. I'm glad."

"I still—" Sofia's voice cracked. "I still owe you for the hospital. I know you said not to worry, but I keep track. I will pay you back."

Leonardo turned to look at her. His expression was serious, but not cold.

"Sofia. Listen to me," he said. "When Elena and I married, we had nothing. My first office was a closet. Her wedding ring was fake gold. We know what it's like."

Sofia blinked. She had never imagined that.

"What I'm saying is," he continued, "we didn't get here alone. Someone helped us. Now we help. That's it. You don't pay back family. You just... live well. That's payment enough."

Sofia's throat closed. She wanted to believe him.

"You don't even know me," she whispered.

"I know enough," Leonardo said. "I know my daughter loves you. Aria doesn't trust easily, despite what people think. She sees through performance. If she chose you, I trust her judgment."

He smiled. "And for what it's worth, I think she's right. When you graduate, come work for us. Not as charity. I need sharp minds. Aria tells me you want to be CFO one day."

Sofia laughed, a wet, startled sound. "She told you that?"

"She talks about you constantly," Leonardo said. "My Sofia this, my Sofia that. You're all she talks about."

Inside, through the glass, they could see Aria laughing at something Elena said, her head thrown back.

Sofia felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Once. She ignored it. She knew who it was.

"I should go help them," she said quickly.

Leonardo patted her shoulder. "Take your time."

Sofia stayed on the balcony alone for another minute. She pulled out her phone.

Unknown: Don't get comfortable. You know what happens if you fail.

Her hands shook. She deleted it.

_I can't do this forever,_ she thought. _I can't keep lying to people who feed me like I'm theirs._

She shoved the phone away and went inside.

The living room was dim, cozy. Elena had put on an old romantic comedy. A bowl of popcorn sat on the coffee table. Aria was on the couch, patting the cushion next to her.

"Come here, Sofi. You're missing the best part."

Sofia sat. Aria immediately threw a blanket over both of them and leaned her head on Sofia's shoulder.

"You're cold," Aria murmured.

"You're warm," Sofia said.

Elena curled into the armchair with her wine. Leonardo sat on the floor, leaning against the couch, pretending to hate the movie.

"This is so unrealistic," Leonardo grumbled. "No one runs through an airport like that."

"Dad, let us enjoy it," Aria said.

Halfway through the movie, Aria's breathing slowed. Her head grew heavy on Sofia's shoulder. Asleep.

Elena smiled softly. "She always does this."

"She had a long week," Sofia whispered.

Leonardo looked up at Sofia over his shoulder. "Thank you for being here. She sleeps better when you're around."

Sofia nodded, unable to speak.

She looked down at Aria. The plastic star bracelet was still on her wrist, a little faded now. Sofia touched her own matching bracelet.

Elena's voice was quiet. "You know, I never had a sister. When Aria brought you home that first time, I thought, oh. This is what it would feel like."

Sofia's eyes filled. She blinked fast.

"I don't want to take her away," Sofia whispered.

"You're not taking," Elena said. "You're adding."

The movie played on. No one moved to wake Aria.

Sofia sat very still, Aria's weight warm against her, and thought about the message in her pocket. About the debt she owed before she ever met Aria. About the man who sent her here and what he would do if she disobeyed.

_If they knew,_ she thought, _this would all disappear. The lasagna. The blanket. The you are family._

She pulled the blanket tighter around Aria.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, so low only she could hear it.

Aria smiled in her sleep and mumbled, "Love you, Sofi."

Sofia closed her eyes.