The dining room felt smaller now.
Just the three of them—Jane, Harris, and Marissa.
The candles flickered. The silence stretched.
Marissa took a delicate sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving Jane.
"So," she said, her voice honey-sweet. "Tell me, Jane. What are your plans? Long-term, I mean."
Jane set down her fork carefully. "I'm finishing my degree. After that, I'm hoping to work in business consulting or management."
"Hoping." Marissa's smile was sharp. "That's a rather uncertain word, don't you think?"
"It's realistic," Jane replied evenly. "Nothing's guaranteed."
"Indeed." Marissa leaned back in her chair. "And Sophia? Does she factor into these... hopes of yours?"
Jane's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression steady. "She does."
"How convenient." Marissa's tone was light, but the edge was unmistakable. "Tell me, have you thought about the practicalities? Two women together—it's all very modern, I suppose. But what about a family? Children?"
Jane's chest tightened. "There are options."
"Options." Marissa's laugh was soft, dismissive. "Expensive options. Complicated options. Harris, wouldn't you like grandchildren someday? Real grandchildren?"
Harris set down his glass, his expression hardening. "Marissa—"
"I'm simply being practical," Marissa continued, her gaze still fixed on Jane. "Sophia has a legacy to uphold. A hospital to run. A family name to carry forward. And you—" She paused, her smile thinning. "You're a student. Working at a café. No offense, dear, but what exactly do you bring to this... relationship?"
Jane's hands curled in her lap, but her voice remained calm. "I bring myself. And if that's not enough, then maybe this conversation is pointless."
Marissa's eyes flashed. "Bold words. But boldness doesn't build a future."
"Neither does cruelty," Jane said quietly.
The room went silent.
Harris cleared his throat. "That's enough, Marissa."
"I'm protecting this family," Marissa said, her voice rising slightly. "Someone has to. If Sophia continues down this path—if she lets herself be distracted by someone who can't give her what she needs—she'll regret it. And so will you, Harris. When there are no grandchildren. No legacy. Just a daughter who chose... this."
She gestured vaguely at Jane, as if she were something distasteful.
Harris's jaw tightened. "Marissa. Stop."
But Marissa wasn't finished. She turned back to Jane, her smile cold. "You seem like a nice girl. Truly. But you're not what Sophia needs. You can't be. And deep down, I think you know that."
Jane's throat felt tight, but she refused to look away. "With respect, Mrs. Whitmore, I don't think you know what Sophia needs. And I don't think she does either. Not yet. But I'm willing to find out."
Marissa's expression flickered—surprise, then annoyance. "How noble."
"It's not about nobility," Jane said, her voice steady. "It's about showing up. Even when it's hard. Even when people like you try to tear it down."
Harris stood abruptly. "That's enough. Both of you." He looked at Marissa, his tone firm. "You've made your point. Let it go."
Marissa's lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing.
Harris turned to Jane, his expression softer. "I apologize. This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go."
Jane nodded, her chest still tight. "It's okay."
"It's not." Harris sighed. "But I appreciate you handling it with grace."
The terrace door opened.
Sophia and Ethan stepped back inside.
Sophia's eyes immediately found Jane, searching her face.
Jane gave her a small nod. I'm okay.
But she wasn't sure if that was true.
Twenty minutes later, Sophia and Jane stood by the front door, preparing to leave.
Harris shook Jane's hand again. "It was good to meet you, Jane. I hope we'll see you again."
"Thank you," Jane said, though she wasn't sure if she meant it.
Marissa stood a few feet away, her smile polite but empty. "Drive safely."
Sophia didn't respond. She just took Jane's hand and turned toward the door.
Ethan followed them outside, his hands in his pockets, his grin easy.
"Well, that was fun," he said lightly.
Sophia shot him a look. "Ethan."
"What? I'm serious. Jane held her own in there. Impressive." He turned to Jane, his smile widening. "You know, you should give me your number. In case Sophia ever gets too boring."
Jane blinked, caught off guard. "I—"
"I'm kidding," Ethan said, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely. "Mostly. But seriously, you're smart. Sharp. I like that."
Sophia's jaw tightened, but she said nothing.
Ethan stepped closer to Jane, his voice dropping slightly. "If you ever need a tour guide around the city—or just someone who's not drowning in hospital paperwork—let me know."
Jane forced a polite smile. "That's... kind of you."
"I'm a kind guy." Ethan's grin was charming, but there was something calculated beneath it. "Sophia's lucky. Don't let her forget it okay?."
He glanced at Sophia, something unreadable in his expression.
Sophia looked away.
Ethan stepped back, raising a hand. "Safe drive. See you soon, Jane."
He turned and walked back toward the house.
Jane stood there, slightly dazed.
Sophia's hand was still holding hers, but her grip was tighter now—almost painful.
"Come on," Sophia said quietly. "Let's go."
They got into the car in silence.
The first few minutes were quiet.
Sophia's hands gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white.
Jane sat beside her, staring out the window, her mind spinning.
Finally, Sophia spoke. "I'm sorry."
Jane turned to look at her. "For what?"
"For Marissa. For everything she said."
"It's not your fault."
"It feels like it is."
Jane was quiet for a moment. Then, softly: "She's wrong, you know."
Sophia glanced at her. "About what?"
"About me not being enough." Jane's voice was steady, but there was something raw beneath it. "I might not have money or status or a perfect plan. But I show up. And I care. And if that's not enough for her, then it's her problem. Not mine."
Sophia's chest ached. "It's more than enough."
Jane looked at her, something vulnerable flickering in her expression. "Is it?"
Sophia's breath caught. "Yes."
They drove in silence for a while longer, the city lights blurring past.
Then Jane spoke again. "Ethan was... forward."
Sophia's jaw tightened. "He's always like that."
"Is he interested in me?"
Sophia's hands tightened on the wheel. "Maybe."
"And you're okay with that?"
Sophia wanted to scream no. She wanted to pull over and tell Jane the truth—that the thought of Ethan anywhere near her made her want to break something.
But she couldn't.
Because Ethan held her secret.
Because she'd agreed.
"It doesn't matter what I'm okay with," Sophia said quietly. "You're free to... do what you want."
Jane frowned, studying her. "That didn't sound very convincing."
Sophia didn't respond.
Jane leaned back in her seat, her expression thoughtful. "For what it's worth, I'm not interested."
Sophia's heart skipped. "You're not?"
"No." Jane's voice was soft. "He's charming, I guess. But he's not..."
She trailed off.
Sophia glanced at her. "Not what?"
Jane looked away, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Not you."
The words hung in the air.
Sophia's breath stilled.
She wanted to say something—anything—but the words wouldn't come.
They pulled up in front of Jane's hostel a few minutes later.
The car idled.
Neither of them moved.
"Thank you," Sophia said finally. "For tonight. For handling everything. You were... incredible."
Jane smiled faintly. "I told you I'd help."
"I know. But still."
Jane reached for the door handle, then hesitated.
She turned back, her eyes searching Sophia's face.
"Sophia?"
"Yeah?"
Jane leaned over—just slightly—and pressed a soft kiss to Sophia's cheek.
It was brief. Gentle. Barely more than a brush of lips against skin.
But it set Sophia's entire world on fire.
Jane pulled back, her expression unreadable. "Goodnight."
Before Sophia could respond, Jane was out of the car, walking toward the hostel entrance.
Sophia sat frozen, her hand coming up to touch the spot where Jane's lips had been.
Her heart was pounding.
Her chest felt tight.
And for the first time in her life, she had no idea what to do.
Jane disappeared inside.
Sophia sat there for a long moment, staring at the empty doorway.
Then she put the car in gear and drove away.
But the warmth of that kiss stayed with her the entire way home.