11. Supper

Sophia was still reeling from the earlier confrontation at home when Lucas suggested they go out for a luxurious dinner. He had noticed the tension lingering in her eyes, and knowing how much his childhood friend's unexpected visit had rattled her, he wanted to lift her spirits. The thought of good food, fine wine, and an elegant atmosphere seemed like the perfect distraction.

As they arrived at one of the city's most exclusive restaurants, Lucas's presence commanded immediate attention. The maître d' personally escorted them to the entrance, offering a respectful bow. Before they proceeded, Lucas turned to Sophia with a gentle smile. "I need to use the restroom. Why don't you go ahead and find our private dining room? It's number 12, just down the hall."

Sophia nodded, clutching her small handbag, feeling slightly more at ease with the prospect of a quiet, private dinner with her husband. She walked down the softly lit corridor, admiring the opulent decor—golden chandeliers, lush velvet drapes, and intricately designed artwork lining the walls. Everything about the place spoke of wealth and exclusivity, fitting for someone like Lucas.

However, as she reached the end of the hall, she mistakenly turned left instead of right, arriving at the wrong door. Confident that she had found the right room, she turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The room fell silent as Sophia stepped in. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw who was inside—her former fiancé, Jonathan, sitting casually at a table with a stunning woman on his arm. The moment Jonathan looked up and saw her, his expression twisted into a cruel smirk. "Well, well, look who it is. Couldn't stay away, could you?"

Sophia was taken aback, realizing her mistake. She started to apologize for intruding, but Jonathan's new girlfriend—an icy blonde with sharp features and a condescending gaze—interrupted her. "What do you want here, Sophia? Haven't you humiliated yourself enough? Coming back to grovel at Jonathan's feet after he dumped you? How pathetic."

Sophia's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. "That's not why I'm here. I didn't even know you would be—"

"Oh, save it," the woman sneered, cutting her off. "You should know better than to chase after someone out of your league. You have no class, no looks, no figure... Honestly, what did you think you were to him? Just another plain face in the crowd."

Jonathan leaned back in his chair, chuckling darkly. "You heard her, Sophia. Just because you can't handle rejection doesn't mean you should make a fool of yourself. But I guess it runs in the family, doesn't it? Your sister's just as clueless, I hear."

Sophia's heart pounded in her chest, her fingers tightening around the handle of her handbag. She was about to retort when the door behind her opened, and Lucas stepped into the room. The air seemed to shift instantly, his presence imposing and undeniable.

"Is there a problem here?" Lucas's voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of authority that made everyone in the room pause.

Jonathan's smug expression faltered. "This is a private gathering, Sterling. No need to get involved."

Lucas's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Sophia, then back at Jonathan and his date. "Apparently, my wife was mistaken about which room to enter. But now that I'm here, I'd like to clarify a few things. First, Sophia doesn't need to explain herself to anyone, least of all to you. And second—" he looked directly at the woman who had been insulting Sophia, his tone icy—"I am the majority shareholder of this establishment. So, if anyone is trespassing, it's you two."

The woman's haughty expression faltered. "I... I didn't mean any disrespect..."

"Disrespect?" Lucas repeated, his voice deceptively calm. "You've insulted my wife in a place that I own. I think that's more than disrespectful."

Sophia watched as the realization dawned on both Jonathan and his girlfriend's faces. They suddenly looked very uncomfortable, their arrogance quickly evaporating. The woman tried to stammer out an apology, but Lucas didn't let her finish.

"Manager!" Lucas called out, and within moments, the restaurant manager appeared at the door, bowing nervously.

"Yes, Mr. Sterling?"

"Kindly escort these two off the premises," Lucas instructed, his voice leaving no room for argument. "They are no longer welcome here."

"But, Mr. Sterling, I—" Jonathan started, only to be cut off by Lucas's cold glare.

"Now," Lucas said, his tone final.

The manager nodded quickly and signaled for security. Jonathan and his girlfriend, now visibly pale, were forced to leave, their protests falling on deaf ears. They were practically dragged out of the restaurant, their dignity left behind in the luxurious dining room.

Once they were gone, Lucas turned to Sophia, his expression softening. "Are you alright?"

Sophia nodded, though she still felt a mixture of anger and relief coursing through her. "I didn't expect to see them here... Thank you, Lucas. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't shown up."

Lucas reached out and gently took her hand, guiding her towards the correct private dining room. "You don't have to face them alone, Sophia. Not now, not ever."

As they sat down to dinner, the earlier encounter began to fade from Sophia's mind, replaced by the warm, comforting atmosphere Lucas had intended for them all along. They talked over the meal about their future, about how they would handle the challenges ahead. But most of all, Lucas made sure that Sophia knew one thing: she was not alone, and she would never have to face those who hurt her without his support.

By the time dinner was over, Sophia felt reassured and more connected to Lucas than ever before. As they left the restaurant hand in hand, she realized that this unexpected marriage might just turn into something real, something worth fighting for.