Family reunion

Sofia's desk was stacked with files, her hand propping up her forehead as she signed off on the endless stream of documents placed before her.

"Is that all?" she asked, her voice hushed and weary.

"Madam, are you sure you're alright?" her secretary asked, leaning forward with concern.

Sofia lifted her gaze, meeting the woman's eyes with a brief, serious look—one that wordlessly commanded her to mind her own business. Then, she turned away.

"Focus on your work." Her tone was sharp as she straightened up.

"Yes, Madam." The secretary's response was barely above a whisper.

Silence settled over the office, broken only by the sound of Sofia's pen scratching against paper. The rhythmic motion continued—until suddenly, it stopped.

"Any news about Augustine?" she asked, her voice carrying a subtle trace of hope.

The secretary hesitated, biting her lip before answering. "Nothing yet—"

Ding.

A notification interrupted her response.

Sofia's brows knitted together as she shot her an irritated glance.

"Apologies, Madam. I'll put it on silent." The secretary quickly retrieved her phone from her pocket, but as her eyes scanned the message, her expression shifted. Relief softened her features.

"Madam! The Chairman is returning today."

Sofia immediately set her pen down, pushing the files aside. Without a moment's hesitation, she rose to her feet, as if already prepared to leave.

"I'm taking the rest of the day off. Make sure the paperwork is handled." She announced, grabbing her bag.

As she reached the door, she added, "And order two bouquets of baby's breath and white roses—as usual."

The secretary gave a swift nod, watching as Sofia disappeared through the doorway. A deep sigh escaped her lips, and her expression turned somber.

"Madam puts in so much effort for the Chairman. She sacrifices her work, ignores her own health… and yet, if only he reciprocated those feelings." Her voice carried a quiet note of defeat.

It was the painful truth.

Sofia Core, the daughter of one of the country's most influential families, had married Augustine at the tender age of nineteen. She had abandoned her dreams of becoming a professional swimmer, cast aside all her personal aspirations—just to dedicate herself to Augustine's family.

Yet, no matter how much she gave, the only thing she ever received in return was indifference.

"Poor Madam," the secretary muttered under her breath before tidying up the desk Sofia had just abandoned.

Meanwhile, Sofia's heels clacked sharply against the marble floor as she hurried toward the exit. Her posture still refined and noble. Yet, Her pulse raced with anticipation—Augustine was returning today. She was so lost in her thoughts that when her phone rang suddenly, she answered without checking the caller ID.

Before she could even speak, an irritated voice cut through the line.

"Augustine is coming back tonight! Did you know about this?" The words dripped with frustration.

Sofia froze mid-step, her throat tightening. She swallowed hard, her nerves tingling, her grip on the phone slightly unsteady.

"Hello, Mother." Her voice was measured, careful.

"Answer me!" The woman on the other end had no patience for pleasantries.

Sofia's fingers curled around the strap of her handbag. "Yes," she admitted quietly, lowering her gaze to the glossy red heels on her feet, as if focusing on them would steady her rattled nerves.

"Then tell me—what exactly are you planning?" Her mother's voice turned sharper, more cutting. "It's not every day that he comes back to the mansion. Are you just going to sit back and do nothing? Do you think that giving birth to that useless girl is enough to secure your place as his wife?"

Sofia's breath hitched. Her free hand trembled slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I—" She struggled to form words, but nothing came out.

"Listen to me!" The woman's voice rose another notch. "Augustine is a rich man. There will always be women throwing themselves at him. If one of them manages to give Vladimir a grandson, do you think he'll even blink before pushing aside that thing you gave birth to? Use this opportunity wisely, Sofia!"

The reprimand kept coming, but Sofia had heard enough. Her fingers tightened around the phone, and in one swift motion, she pulled it away from her ear and ended the call.

Her chest heaved as she stood frozen in place, feeling her heart hammering violently against her ribs.

Her legs wobbled beneath her, each second making it harder to stay upright. Her chest grew unbearable, pressing down until she could barely breathe. She scanned her surroundings, spotting a bench a few steps away, and hurried toward it, sinking down before her knees could give out completely.

Her hands clenched together on her lap as she took deep, shaky breaths. Calm down. But the words in her head did nothing to steady her nerves.

After what felt like forever, she finally pulled out her phone again , her fingers stiff as she tapped on the screen.

The call barely rang before it connected.

"Hello? Yes—" Her voice came out softer than she intended, almost hesitant.

She ran a hand down her face, inhaled sharply, then straightened her tone.

"I need an appointment. ASAP."

The person on the other end didn't question it, immediately agreeing, their voice all business. Good. That was one less thing to deal with.

Sofia lowered the phone from her ear and let it rest on her lap, her mother's words still ringing in her head. Over and over. Like she had any idea what it was like to live in this marriage.

She exhaled through gritted teeth and shook her head. No. She wouldn't let those thoughts consume her right now.

With a stiff push, she stood up, adjusted her bag, and walked away.

Blue was getting dressed in her favorite princess outfit—a shimmering blue tulle dress adorned with tiny, glittering stars. The jewels sewn into the fabric were far too extravagant for a four-year-old, but that hardly mattered in the Core household.

A delicate tiara sat atop her soft curls, crafted from 24k gold and encrusted with pearls and precious stones—an absurd luxury for a child so young. Anyone would call it a waste of money, but in this house, money was never the problem.

She had everything a little girl could wish for. Everything—except the one thing that mattered most. Love.

"Is Dada really coming home today?" Blue asked, glancing back at her nanny, who was gently brushing the last waves of her jet-black hair.

"Ahm—" The nanny nodded with a soft hum. "Is the little missy happy?"

"Yes! I am so happy!" Blue stretched her arms wide, as if trying to show just how much joy she felt.

"I have so much to tell Dada! I have to show him my new dress and my crown! And I'll tell him about the golden stars I got at school! Oh! And the race I won! And—and—" She ran out of breath, her tiny chest rising and falling as she gasped for air.

"Okay, okay, breathe, Miss, or you'll choke." The nanny chuckled, rubbing her back soothingly.

Blue took a deep breath and gave a small nod.

"You can tell Master everything tonight. You'll be dining out with your parents," the nanny informed her with a gentle smile.

"Yay!! I'm so happy!!" Blue clapped her hands, giggling with excitement.

Her pretty blue eyes sparkled with genuine joy.

A knock at the door interrupted the moment, and the maid closest to it quickly opened it, revealing Sofia standing outside.

"Is she ready?" Sofia asked in a plain, almost detached voice, not bothering to step into the unfamiliar room.

"Yes, the nanny is just finishing her hair. She'll be out in a moment."

"Mama!" Blue chirped cheerfully, dashing toward Sofia and wrapping her small arms around her leg in an affectionate hug.

Sofia flinched. Her entire body went rigid, her jaw clenching, and the corners of her eyes creased ever so slightly.

"Okay, get off. We have to leave." She waved her hand slightly, a subtle gesture to put some distance between them without making direct contact.

Blue, completely unaware of the coldness in her mother's response, beamed up at her with the brightest smile. "Okay! Let's go!" she chirped, grabbing onto Sofia's pinky finger as if ready for a stroll.

A sharp shiver ran through Sofia, her muscles tightening instinctively. Without a word, she pulled her hand away and stepped ahead, leaving Blue behind.

The little girl blinked, staring at her now-empty hand with a puzzled expression. A moment later, her head dipped, her tiara tilting slightly to one side as she silently followed, her steps suddenly much smaller, much slower.