The cab had barely stopped before Sophia stepped out, her long coat catching the gentle tug of the wind. The chapel loomed ahead, elegant and solemn, filled to capacity with guests dressed in their finest. But the sound of her stiletto heels clashing against the marble floor sliced through the hum of the sacred space like a blade.
Every head turned.
Her heart thundered.
Why had she come?
Why did she allow herself to feel this naked?
And then, Catarina looked up.
She stood radiant in her lace-embroidered wedding gown, a vision of joy and peace. Her hands clutched Ryan's—the groom's white suit catching the golden chapel light like a reflection of the heaven they were both about to vow into. Ryan followed her gaze. His eyes widened.
But the pastor didn't flinch, deep in his reading of the vows.
The rest of the Smith family, however... they were already staring.
Raymond's eyes met hers.
Sophia's heart sank.
She lowered her gaze quickly, curling into the last empty seat at the back like a frightened petal folding from the cold. She hated herself for reacting to his eyes like that. After everything—after all she'd tried to bury—why did his stare still hold such power?
The ceremony continued. But her thoughts refused to stay still.
***
At the reception, the air was warmer, filled with laughter, glittering lights, and the fragrance of delicate roses. Sophia summoned courage from the remnants of her pride and stepped forward.
Catarina turned and beamed. "You came!"
Sophia hugged her tightly. "Congratulations, my beautiful friend."
Ryan joined them, sweeping her into a friendly embrace. "I can't believe we get to see you again. We missed you, Sophia."
And then, just as she was about to retreat into the safety of anonymity again, a firm grip caught her hand.
Joyce Smith.
Her fingers wrapped around Sophia's as if trying to control her pulse. "We need to talk. Outside."
Reluctantly, Sophia followed her through the reception's French doors into the garden. The air was crisp, scented with lavender and late-autumn chill.
"I'm glad to see you again, Joyce," she said quietly.
Joyce stopped walking. "I'm sorry about what we made you do because of Raymond. At the time, I believed it was the right way to protect Smith Group—an empire my husband gave everything to build before Raymond was even born." Her voice broke slightly. "After you helped us uncover the dark forces within the company, you vanished. I searched everywhere…"
Her gaze dropped suddenly, catching sight of the ring on Sophia's finger. "You're… married?"
Sophia exhaled. "I'm engaged."
Joyce stumbled back, eyes shimmering. "Does Raymond know?"
Sophia's voice turned firmer. "I'm the taekwondo coach for the film academy project. I've been working with the team for over a month. He knows."
Tears rolled down Joyce's cheeks. "My son… he truly believed you loved him."
Sophia stayed silent.
Joyce dropped to her knees in the garden. "He must be breaking inside—and it's because of me."
"Please don't do that," Sophia bent to help her up.
Joyce clutched her hands. "Please don't leave him. Don't let him suffer this alone."
Sophia bit her lip and gently pulled her upright. "Let's go inside."
***
Back in the reception hall, before Sophia could find a quiet corner to disappear into, Joyce gently steered her to the family's table.
Will Smith, the patriarch himself, sat at the head of the table. Raymond sat near him, eyes locked on his food as if it were the only escape. Mark was beside a soft-eyed woman whose calm presence made Sophia admire his taste. Anthony greeted her with a small smile.
She hesitated—but there was no easy escape. She sat.
Will cleared his throat, breaking the thick silence. "Sophia Jones," he began solemnly, "thank you for being here today. Thank you for giving us the grace to make things right. I deeply apologise for the way we treated you. We didn't think it through. We're asking for a second chance… if you'd allow us one."
A thick silence followed.
Raymond still didn't look up.
Sophia's chest tightened.
Mark was next. "I need to apologise too… for threatening you back then." He sighed, then glanced at the woman beside him. "When you vanished, I suffered. But it brought me clarity. I left my first love once—because she didn't match my 'status.' Then we found each other again... and I realised love isn't about matching a man's height. It's about a woman who brings him peace. Who he can love easily, deeply."
Sophia stared at Mark in disbelief. Had time softened him this much?
Finally—finally—Raymond looked up.
He didn't look at her the way she expected. Not with longing. But with curiosity. As though trying to see beneath the layers she had built to hide her heart.
Anthony leaned forward. "You taught me something, Sophia. You taught me to fight for myself. If you don't love Raymond anymore, that's okay. But I still want to be your friend."
Then came the quietest voice. Joyce's.
"Sophia… do you still love my son?"
Every eye turned.
Sophia's breath hitched. Her heart beat like a war drum. She felt the walls closing in—each face demanding truth. But her truth had long been buried beneath duty and disappointment.
She stood suddenly. "Please… if you'll excuse me."
And without waiting for an answer, she grabbed her bag and left the table—her heels clicking again, this time like a countdown.
She needed to go. She needed to be far away from this.
Far away from Raymond—before she collapsed from the weight of everything she still felt.