Sophia stood frozen in the empty lounge, staring at the door Jane had just walked through.
Her heartbeat was too loud in her ears.
Her hands felt cold.
What had she done?
She pressed her fingers to her temple, trying to steady herself, trying to think—
"Well, well, well."
Sophia's eyes snapped open.
Clara stood in the doorway, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised so high it nearly disappeared into her hairline.
"Clara—"
"Don't 'Clara' me." She stepped inside, letting the door close behind her with a soft click. "I just passed a very confused-looking girl in a café apron walking toward the elevators. Care to explain?"
Sophia straightened, smoothing down the front of her blazer. "She was delivering coffee."
"Uh-huh. And does coffee delivery usually involve your stepmother cornering you in the staff lounge?"
Sophia's jaw tightened.
Clara's grin widened. "Oh, you didn't know I was out there, did you?"
"You were eavesdropping?"
"I was walking by. There's a difference." Clara leaned against the counter, clearly enjoying this. "So. Your *girlfriend*, huh?"
Sophia closed her eyes. "Clara—"
"Wait, wait, wait." Clara held up a hand, her expression shifting from teasing to genuine surprise. "Is that the girl from the café? The one you kept—" She gestured vaguely. "The one with the latte art?"
Sophia didn't answer.
Clara's eyes widened. "Oh my God. It is."
"It's complicated."
"Complicated?" Clara laughed, but it was light, not cruel. "Sophia, you just introduced a coffee delivery girl as your girlfriend to the stepmother from hell. That's not complicated. That's a disaster waiting to happen."
Sophia turned away, moving toward the window. "I know."
"So why did you do it?"
"Because I panicked."
"You? Panicked?" Clara's tone was softer now, more curious than mocking. "That doesn't sound like you."
Sophia exhaled slowly, her fingers gripping the edge of the windowsill. " You know Clara I lied to my father. I told him I was seeing someone. Marissa wouldn't let it go. And then she showed up, and Jane was here, and..... I just—" She stopped, her voice faltering.
Clara was quiet for a moment. Then she walked over, standing beside Sophia.
"You just needed an out," Clara finished gently.
"Yes."
"And Jane agreed?"
Sophia nodded. "She did."
Clara let out a low whistle. "Wow. She must really like you."
Sophia's head turned sharply. "What?"
"I'm just saying." Clara shrugged, her grin returning. "Most people wouldn't agree to fake-date their way into a family dinner with someone they barely know. Especially not when that someone's stepmother looks like she eats puppies for breakfast."
"Clara."
"I'm not wrong."
Sophia looked away again, her expression unreadable.
Clara studied her for a moment, then leaned back against the wall. "You know, I noticed something that day at the café."
"What?"
"The way you looked at her."
Sophia's shoulders tensed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, please." Clara's tone was teasing, but there was something knowing in her eyes. "You couldn't stop watching her. Every time she walked by, your eyes followed. I thought maybe you were just zoning out, but now?" She gestured toward the door. "Now it makes sense."
"It doesn't mean anything."
"Doesn't it?"
Sophia didn't respond.
Clara sighed, her voice softening. "Look, I'm not trying to give you a hard time. I just… I've known you for years, Sophia. You don't panic. You don't lie. And you definitely don't drag random strangers into your family drama unless something about them got under your skin."
Sophia's hands curled into fists at her sides. "She's just helping me."
"Uh-huh. And you're just using her."
"I'm not—" Sophia stopped, the words catching in her throat.
Because wasn't she?
Clara's expression shifted, more serious now. "So what happens next? You take her to dinner, she pretends to be your girlfriend, and then what? You thank her and move on?"
Sophia didn't answer.
"Sophia."
"I don't know, Clara." Her voice was quieter now, almost strained. "I don't know what I'm doing."
Clara watched her for a long moment. Then she reached out, squeezing Sophia's shoulder gently.
"For what it's worth? I think she's brave. Most people would've run the second your stepmother walked in." She paused. "And I think you owe her more than just an apology."
"I know."
Clara stepped back, her grin returning. "Also? If you're going to fake-date someone, at least pick someone cute. And Jane?" She whistled. "Definitely cute."
Sophia's lips twitched despite herself. "You're impossible."
"And you're a mess." Clara headed toward the door, then paused, glancing back. "But for what it's worth? I've got your back. Whatever this turns into."
"Thank you."
Clara winked. "Just don't forget to invite me to the wedding."
"Hey Clara—"
But she was already gone, the door swinging shut behind her.
Sophia stood alone again, the silence pressing in.
She exhaled slowly, then pulled out her phone.
No messages.
No calls.
Just the weight of her own choices.
She typed quickly, before she could overthink it:
*"Thank you. For today. I owe you more than an explanation."*
She stared at the message for a long moment.
Then hit send.
And waited.