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"I won’t do it again."
She managed those words, striving for a calm, non-dramatic tone.
"How’s your fever? Gone? When are you discharged?"
Lucian seemed to realize his harshness and softened slightly.
The questions might have brought warmth. Now… Sophia felt nothing.
"Better. Discharging tonight."
"Need a ride?" Lucian asked.
Someone who genuinely wants to come doesn’t ask. Asking implies reluctance.
"No need. Mrs Wilson had the driver bring my things back. We’ll take a cab. It’s easy."
"Alright. Take care." Lucian hung up.
That night, Sophia and Mrs Wilson returned home around 10 PM.
Mr and Mrs Thompson and both brothers were already back, enthusiastically discussing their day trip.
The atmosphere froze when Sophia entered.
Mrs Thompson frowned disapprovingly,
"Sophia, you’re old enough to take care of yourself!"
"Lily’s about to take finals. If you get her sick and she fails, will you retake them for her?"
"My fever’s gone. I won’t infect her."
"If you’re truly worried, I’ll wear a mask at home and stay out of your way."
Sophia suddenly felt her inSophiatence on staying the last seven days was absurd.
She should have left the moment she decided to.
But only two days remained. After finals, she’d be truly gone.
"Sophia, your mother didn’t mean it that way."
"Don’t you love strawberries? Lily picked plenty today. Come try some…"
Mr Thompson tried to diffuse the tension, beckoning Sophia over.
Sophia wanted to say she never liked strawberries. But she knew refusal would be seen as sulking.
With only two days left, she wanted to be with the family she’d known.
She walked over and sat beside him.
"You’ve gotten so thin lately! School stress?"
Mr Thompson hadn’t paid much attention to Sophia. Seeing her beside him now, he finally noticed her thinness.
"We’re family. Just be obedient and kind. We will always love you."
Mr Thompson patted her shoulder.
"Dad, I know. My brothers said the same."
"Mrs Wilson said you got locked in the bathroom? What happened? Was the lock broken?" Mr Thompson asked, concerned.
"Dad, the lock probably broke. I’ve had the lock cylinder replaced."
Sophia glanced at Lily as she spoke. Lily remained calm and composed.
For a year, no matter what schemes Lily pulled or how many times Sophia exposed her, they always believed Lily. So Lily wasn’t afraid.
In fact, she hoped Sophia would tell. It meant Sophia would be punished again.
That night passed relatively peacefully.
They chatted briefly before retiring. Only Sophia remained on the sofa after everyone left, holding the strawberries Mr Thompson had pressed into her hand. "Miss, are you hungry? Want me to cook you something?"
Mrs Wilson, staying overnight, came to Sophia after finishing her tasks.
