Anastasia gave Sophie an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder, her voice gentle yet firm. “You don’t have to tell him everything if you’re not ready, but he deserves to know you’re okay, Sophie. Don’t shut him out completely.” Sophie looked up, the quiet strength in her sister’s eyes giving her the push she needed. With a sigh, she reached for her phone, noticing the relentless string of missed calls and messages from Ethan. Finally, after hesitating for a few seconds, she pressed "call back."
The phone barely had a chance to ring before Ethan answered. “Sophie?” His voice was frantic, barely a breath of relief between his words. “Sophie, thank God. I’m so sorry for leaving you alone last night. I didn’t mean to. Lucas told me you weren’t feeling well, and I’ve been so worried.”
Sophie he
