Chapter 3 Closer Than Ever

A week later, Richard and Sophia sat in the study of his sprawling mansion, surrounded by auction catalogs and scattered notes. The room was a sanctuary of dark wood and leather, the late afternoon sun filtering through tall windows to bathe it in golden light. The faint ticking of a grandfather clock marked the passage of time as they worked.

"What do you think of this painting?" Sophia asked, holding up a catalog. Her voice was soft, almost tentative, as if she sensed the shift in the air between them.

Richard leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers. Her perfume-a delicate mix of jasmine and vanilla-hit him like a wave, stirring something deep within. He forced his eyes to the page. "It's stunning," he said, his voice rougher than intended. "It'll draw a big bid."

They continued sorting through items, but as the hours slipped by, their conversation veered from business to something more personal. Sophia shared stories of her freelance graphic design work, her dreams of opening a gallery, and the quiet loneliness she rarely admitted to. Richard found himself opening up in return-about the pressures of running a multi-million-dollar company, the expectations that came with his wealth, and the emptiness he couldn't shake.

"I've always admired how driven you are," Sophia said, her hazel eyes locking with his. "It's inspiring, even when it's hard."

Richard's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "Thanks, Sophia. Coming from you, that means something."

A charged silence settled between them. His hand rested on the table, inches from hers, and he fought the urge to close the gap. She was Emily's best friend-his wife's confidante. But in that moment, she was also the woman who saw him, truly saw him, in a way Emily hadn't in years.