Chapter 48 Mia (Mine)

• Christian
• After dinner, I leaned back on my chair, watching as Sophia stood up and gracefully gathered the plates. I didn’t say anything at first, just watching her—always so gentle, always so careful with everything she did. She carried them off toward the kitchen, and I found myself unable to pull my eyes away from her. There was something about seeing her like this—comfortable, natural, as if she belonged in my home, in my life—that stirred something deep inside of me.
• I remained seated, listening to the soft clink of plates as she disappeared around the corner, and for a moment, I almost followed her right away. But I didn’t. Instead, I sat there, taking in my mother’s smile as she watched Sophia leave, her eyes filled with something close to pride.