SOPHIA’S POV
I stared at the lecture invitation on my phone. I had opened it so many times I already knew every detail by heart. The date. The time. The location.
I’d been debating all week whether to go. Part of me wanted to pretend the invitation didn’t exist. Another part of me ached to be in that room, to hear Professor Rio speak in person.
Ashley was with Tiffany for the weekend. That knowledge made me feel guilty. I hated that I felt
relieved. I told myself it was just because I finally had time to breathe, but deep down, I knew it
was more than that.
I felt empty without my daughter, but I also felt lighter knowing there would be no fights for two days.
I typed a message to Lance. “I’ll attend the lecture.”
His reply came almost instantly. “I’m really glad.
