Sophia leaned against the wall outside her office, eyes closed, letting the silence settle around her.
The morning rounds had been long. Productive, but draining in a way they usually weren't.
She needed a moment.
Just a moment.
Clara had gone to handle paperwork. The hallway was empty, sterile and still. Sophia pressed her fingers to her temple, massaging lightly.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She didn't check it.
She already knew who it was.
Instead, she straightened, smoothing down the front of her blazer, and turned toward the small staff lounge at the end of the hall. Coffee. That would help.
She pushed the door open—
And froze.
Jane stood near the counter, balancing a cardboard tray of coffee cups, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, a few loose strands framing her face.
She wore the café apron over a simple sweater, her expression focused as she checked the labels on each cup.
She looked up.
Their eyes met.
For a beat, neither moved.
"Hi," Jane said softly.
Sophia blinked, then stepped inside, letting the door close behind her. "Hi."
Jane set the tray down carefully. "I'm just—Mr. Ben asked me to deliver these. One of the nurses ordered for her team."
"I see."
Another pause.
Jane shifted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't know you'd be here. I mean—obviously you're here. You work here. I just meant—"
"I understand," Sophia said, a small smile pulling at her lips.
Jane exhaled, almost relieved. "Right."
Sophia moved toward the counter, glancing at the tray. "Which one is yours?"
"Oh, I don't—these are all for the staff."
"You didn't keep one for yourself?"
Jane shrugged. "I'll grab something later."
Sophia reached for one of the cups, checking the label. Black coffee. She handed it to Jane. "Take this one."
"That's someone else's—"
"I'll replace it," Sophia said simply.
Jane hesitated, then accepted it, fingers brushing Sophia's briefly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
They stood there, the hum of the vending machine the only sound between them.
Jane took a small sip, then glanced at Sophia. "You look tired."
Sophia raised a brow. "Do I?"
"A little. Just... around the eyes."
Sophia's expression softened. "Long morning."
"I get that."
Another beat of quiet.
Jane set the cup down. "I should probably—"
The door swung open.
Both of them turned.
And Sophia's entire body went still.
Marissa stood in the doorway.
Elegant. Poised. Perfectly dressed in a tailored cream suit, her hair styled flawlessly, her smile sharp and practiced.
"Sophia," she said smoothly, stepping inside. "I thought I'd find you here."
Sophia's jaw tightened, but her expression remained neutral. "Marissa. What are you doing here?"
"I was in the area. Thought I'd stop by." Her eyes slid to Jane, curious and assessing. "And who is this?"
Jane stood frozen, cup in hand, clearly sensing the shift in the air.
Sophia's mind raced.
This was it.
The lie. The corner she'd backed herself into.
She could deflect. Make an excuse. Introduce Jane as a delivery person and move on.
But Marissa's eyes were already narrowing, her smile tightening at the edges.
She knew.
Somehow, she knew Sophia was going to run.
And Sophia—
Sophia didn't run.
She stepped forward, her hand reaching out, resting lightly on Jane's arm.
"This is Jane," she said, her voice steady. "My girlfriend."
The room went silent.
Jane's eyes widened, her breath catching.
"W..What"?Marissa blinked, her smile faltering for just a second before snapping back into place. "Your... girlfriend?"
"Yes."
Marissa's gaze flicked between them, sharp and calculating. "I see. How... unexpected."
Sophia didn't flinch. "Is it?"
"Well, your father mentioned you were seeing someone, but I assumed—" She paused delicately. "I didn't realize."
"Now you do."
Jane stood perfectly still, her heart pounding so loud she was certain they could hear it. But she didn't move. Didn't speak.
She just... stayed.
Marissa's smile was thin now, brittle. "Well. This is certainly a surprise."
"Life is full of them," Sophia replied coolly.
Marissa's eyes lingered on Jane—taking in the apron, the ponytail, the lack of polish. Her expression was unreadable, but the judgment was clear.
"I'd love to get to know you better, Jane," she said, her tone saccharine. "Perhaps over dinner? This week?"
Jane opened her mouth, but no words came.
Sophia's hand tightened slightly on her arm. "We'll check our schedules."
"Of course." Marissa's smile didn't reach her eyes. "I'll let your father know. He'll be so pleased.... to finally meet her."
She turned, heels clicking sharply as she moved toward the door.
Then she paused, glancing back. "Oh, and Sophia? Do bring her to the house. I insist."
The door closed behind her.
Silence.
Jane turned slowly to face Sophia, her eyes wide. "What just happened?"
Sophia released her arm, stepping back, her composure cracking just slightly. "I'm sorry."
"You just—" Jane's voice wavered. "You just told your mother I'm your girlfriend."
"I know."
"Why?"
Sophia looked away, her hands curling into fists at her sides. "Because I lied to my father. I told him I was seeing someone. And now Marissa won't let it go."
Jane stared at her. "So you... used me?"
"No." Sophia's voice was firm, her eyes meeting Jane's again. "No. I panicked. I didn't plan this. I just—" She exhaled, running a hand over her face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dragged you into this."
Jane was quiet for a long moment.
Then she set the coffee cup down. "You could have told her the truth."
"I know."
"So why didn't you?"
Sophia didn't answer right away.
Because the truth was complicated.
Because admitting the lie felt like losing.
Because in that moment, with Marissa's eyes on her, the only thing that felt safe was—
Jane.
"I don't know," Sophia said quietly.
Jane crossed her arms, her expression guarded. "Your mother thinks I'm your.....girlfriend now."
"Yes."
"And she wants me to come to dinner."
"Yes."
Jane laughed, but there was no humor in it. "This is insane."
"I know." Sophia stepped closer, her voice softer now. "I'll fix this. I'll tell her it was a misunderstanding. You don't have to do anything."
Jane looked at her—really looked at her.
And for the first time, she saw something beneath the polish.
Exhaustion. Desperation.
Fear.
Jane exhaled slowly. "When's the dinner?"
Sophia blinked. "What?"
"When is it?"
"You don't have to—"
"When, Sophia?"
Sophia hesitated. "Probably this week. She'll push for it."
Jane nodded slowly, then picked up her coffee again. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"I'll do it."
Sophia stared at her, stunned. "Why?"
Jane shrugged, her expression unreadable. "Because you look like you're drowning. And I know what that feels like."
Sophia's throat tightened.
Jane met her gaze, steady and calm. "But after this? We're even. And you owe me an explanation."
"I do."
Jane turned toward the door, then paused, glancing back. "Also? Next time you need a fake girlfriend, maybe ask first."
A small, surprised laugh escaped Sophia. "Noted."
Jane's lips twitched—almost a smile.
Then she left.
And Sophia stood alone in the lounge, staring at the door, her heart pounding in a way it hadn't in years.
What had she just done?