Chapter 8

Sophie gently pulled her hand back, her tone neutral. "Eleanor, matters of the heart should be left to fate."

Her gaze paused, sweeping over the tense trio in the room before settling back on Eleanor's face. "Focus on your recovery. We can talk about the rest when you're better."

Eleanor knew Sophie was deflecting. Though she wasn't thrilled that Sophie's family outranked the Carters, fearing her son would be overshadowed, she genuinely despised Lily.

As a woman, Eleanor saw through Lily's facade-far from the kind, harmless girl Daniel described.

Seeing Sophie's distant expression now, Eleanor felt a pang of unease. This wasn't what she expected.

The old Sophie always humored her, gentle and considerate, but now those beautiful eyes held only politeness.

"Sophie..." Eleanor began.

"Eleanor, you should eat something," Sophie interrupted, pulling an insulated container from her bag. She opened it, revealing a sweet, milky aroma of pear-infused custard, carefully prepared with diced fruit.

Eleanor's expression softened, thinking Sophie's gesture showed she still cared for the Carters, even if she was upset.

"You're always so thoughtful," Eleanor said, taking the bowl from Sophie and sipping a spoonful slowly. "Daniel's becoming more reckless by the day."

Daniel stood nearby, his face clouded.

Though his memories were hazy, the scene felt familiar.

Fragments of memory told him his mother truly favored Sophie.

He glanced at Lily, conflicted.

Lily's tears still fell. She watched Eleanor eat Sophie's custard with approval while her own soup sat ignored on the table, like a mockery.

Biting her lip, she suddenly crouched, clutching her stomach with a pained groan. "My stomach hurts so much."

Her gasping broke the room's brief calm.

Daniel's attention snapped to her, concern overtaking him. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"

Lily looked up, wincing. "I don't know... Maybe I didn't eat this morning..."

Eleanor's face darkened.

Sophie smirked inwardly.

"If she's unwell, take her to a doctor," Sophie said coolly. "I'll stay here. Take Miss Harvey for a check-up."

Daniel hesitated. His mother was still in the hospital bed, but Lily was curled up on the floor, clearly in pain. He couldn't ignore her.

"Go," Eleanor said, unwilling to argue with her son in front of Sophie. "Don't be an eyesore here."

Daniel gritted his teeth, helped Lily up, and led her out.

As Lily leaned into Daniel's arms, her eyes flicked toward Sophie, a glint of triumph in them.

The moment the door closed, Eleanor set the bowl down and sighed. "Sophie, you saw it. That woman's cunning. Daniel's completely fooled by her."

Sophie didn't respond, only picking up a tissue to gently wipe Eleanor's mouth.

"Rest well," she said. "Daniel has his own life to live."

Eleanor froze, then understood.

"Sophie, can't you give Daniel another chance?" Her voice carried exhaustion. "Our families have been close for so many years..."