They arrived at the café and settled at an outdoor table, sunlight pouring over them.

The waitress approached with a bright smile, placing menus in their hands. Sophia idly turned the pages of hers, her thoughts wandering once more.

“You know, I’ve been thinking,” Richard Cole said, peering at Sophia over the edge of his menu.

“Maybe Julian and I could assist you with returning into the dormitory when the moment arrives. It would feel like a proper family occasion.”

Sophia’s heart lurched at the sound of Julian’s name. Family. How could she possibly view them that way when everything was quietly disintegrating beneath the surface?

“That sounds wonderful,” Sophia...