"Nooo—" A sharp scream from Emily echoed from the living room.
Sophie pushed open the door and stepped inside. The four people already in the room all froze for a moment.
"Why aren't you going in?" Victoria, following right behind her, urged gently.
"Sophie, come here—sit next to me," Jonathan said, waving her over with a warm, smiling face.
Yui's originally stern expression instantly softened into something warm and worldly. She walked over and gave Sophie an exaggeratedly enthusiastic hug. "Sophie, it's been six years—you've finally come back. We've all missed you so much!" Polite, yet laced with genuine warmth.
Only Ned remained as cold and distant as ever. He was holding the still-pouting Emily in his arms. Both of them—four eyes in total—were fixed intently on Sophie. His gaze carried a faint trace of eagerness, while hers was mostly filled with confusion.
