#71 “This woman is terribly sassy.”
The concert was an extraordinary experience, leaving Sophia and Evelyn thoroughly enchanted throughout the performance. The music rekindled Sophia’s deep passion for her own instrument. It was a part of herself she held dear, a realm where she could express her innermost emotions with the utmost sincerity.
Sophia felt a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity she had during her student years to perform with Maestro Paus. Each time she listened to his compositions, it filled her with nostalgia for those cherished times.
Evelyn, deeply moved, couldn’t hold back her tears during the final piece. The entire hall appeared to collectively hold its breath, and as the last note resonated through the air, it erupted into thunderous applause.
“That was simply amazing,” Evelyn remarked, her voice trembling with emotion. Sophia smiled warmly, replying, “Just like every time.”
The remainder of the evening was dedicated to celebrating Caroline’s birthday. Guests lined up to offer their gifts and heartfelt best wishes. Sophia and Evelyn joined the procession to greet the evening’s host.
Standing just ahead of them, Megan eagerly shared her admiration for Caroline and Alexander. Megan gushed about how much she adored Caroline and how she was her role model.
Her words, however, came across as excessively ingratiating to Sophia, who believed that birthday wishes should be offered sincerely and from the heart. It seemed to Sophia that Megan was doing everything in her power to flatter Caroline.
When it was finally Sophia’s turn to offer her well-wishes, Megan was nearby, watching with interest.
“Happy birthday, Caroline,” Sophia began with genuine warmth. “I wish you an abundance of health, happiness, and love. May this violin bring you as much joy as it has brought me over the years. I find the instrument truly magnificent, and I’m certain it will find a splendid home in your company.”
Caroline embraced Sophia in a warm hug and expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
“Thank you, my dear,” Caroline said. sincerely. “I’m so delighted you could be here tonight.”
Sophia smiled warmly and returned the hug.
“The pleasure was all mine,” she replied genuinely. Their conversation was soon interrupted by Megan, causing Evelyn to furrow her brows in annoyance.
“Caroline, I can hardly wait for your private birthday party,” Megan said with a feigned laugh. “Actually, Sophia, why don’t you come as well?”
Megan’s invitation seemed more like a half-hearted afterthought. Evelyn was on the verge of intervening when Sophia responded with a gracious smile.
“I came just for the concert, but thank you for the invitation. I was planning to leave.”
“Oh, please don’t leave,” Caroline interjected. “It would be a great joy for me to have you here.”
“It’s getting really late, and I’m at work tomorrow.”
“Please, I insist,” Caroline continued, her voice warm. “Work will still be there when you return. After all, work existed before us, and it will endure long after we’re gone,” she quipped.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Sophia began, but was interrupted once more.
“Please, Sophia, it would mean a lot to me.”
Reluctant to refuse on Caroline’s birthday, Sophia nodded with a smile.
“Alright, I’ll stay for a little while, then…”
Before she could finish, Megan let out a high-pitched squeal. “Oh gosh, how could I forget?” Megan exclaimed, producing a small, beautifully wrapped box.
Sophia and Evelyn exchanged knowing glances, recognizing this as another piece of Megan’s theatrical performance.
“Darling Caroline, this is your present, 11 Megan announced loudly for everyone to hear. Megan didn’t even give Caroline the opportunity to unwrap the gift herself. She eagerly unveiled the box, revealing the diamond necklace she had bought.
“Isn’t it just marvelous, Sophia?” Megan asked, her tone dripping with condescension. “I know you probably didn’t have time to buy Caroline a gift, given how work is the most important thing in your life.”
Before Sophia could respond, Caroline came to her defense. “Sophia’s presence here tonight is the most precious gift to me,” Caroline declared, taking Megan’s gift.
She examined the necklace briefly before closing the box. Evelyn couldn’t help but smile at the evident disappointment on Megan’s face as Caroline set the gift aside, focusing on her other presents.
“Come on Sophia, let’s go to Master Paus, I’m sure he wants to see you,” Caroline says and takes Sophia by the arm.
Caroline’s warmth and affection towards Sophia were rather surprising. Although they hadn’t interacted much before, Caroline seemed eager to foster a connection with her and perhaps even become friends in the future.
Sophia appreciated Caroline’s kindness, even though she couldn’t ignore the underlying motivation to reconcile her with Alexander.
While Sophia could engage in arguments and disagreements with Alexander, doing the same with this friendly woman proved to be much more challenging. Caroline’s genuine friendliness disarmed her, and she couldn’t bring herself to be confrontational.
Megan, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel discontented about Caroline’s enthusiasm for Sophia, especially given Sophia’s history as Alexander’s ex-wife. She walks over to Alexander’s table and sits down uninvited.
“Oh, Alexander,” Megan complained, ” why is your mother getting so close to Sophia? It’s not like she’s part of our lives anymore.”
Alexander calmly sipped his champagne and gave Megan a measured look. “My mother is a friendly and gracious person. She’s always eager to make new friends and strengthen connections. You know that.
Megan huffed, clearly not satisfied with his response. “But, darling, you have to admit, it’s a bit odd. Sophia is your ex-wife, after all.”
“Ex-wife, yes,” Alexander agreed, “But my mother values her for who she is, not just for her past connections.” Megan couldn’t let it go. “I have a feeling she’s taking advantage of your mother’s kind heart.”
“Why do you think that?” Alexander asks more out of politeness than listening to Megan’s theory. “She didn’t even bring her a present, and now he’s sulking at the party. This woman is terribly sassy,” Megan declares.
“Weren’t you the one who invited her?” grins Alexander. Before Megan can say what she wants, Caroline motions for Alexander to come over to her.
“See you later,” Alexander says and leaves Megan sulking alone on the table. Caroline, who had keenly observed the ongoing tension between Megan and Sophia, decided to take matters into her own hands.
She turned to Alexander, her eyes filled with compassion, and said, ‘ Alexander, my dear, even though you and Sophia are divorced, I believe it’s high time you made an effort to seek her forgiveness.”
The rest of the room fell into a hushed silence, the word “divorce” having a profound impact on the atmosphere.
The mere mention of Sophia’s status as a divorcee, especially in this grand gathering, caught them all off guard. Sophia, while initially surprised, maintained her composure.
She realized that this revelation could become a point of interest, or gossip, among the guests. But she was determined not to let it affect her.
The silence in the room was deafening as the guests awaited Alexander’s response. The unexpected revelation had cast a heavy shadow over the festivities, and the tension in the room was palpable.
