ic's

able. I took Sophie's wrist without a second thought,

close, but oddly enough, holding her hand didn't irritate me. Maybe it was because she was

e shopping in person?" Sop

a twinge of irritation. "Don't ask so many

my grandmother's incessant phone calls about Sophie. "She's your wif

my jaw, feeling that familiar, uncomfortable frustration rise. But I wasn't exactly known for being go

face in the car, I

in my mind. I wasn't sure why, but I stopped. "Would you like some co

ith surprise as she stammered

e watched my assistant coming back with a cotton candy. She was almost about t

ing so simple made her l

makes you this happy?"

y mother only ever bought it for my brother. Once, I was so greedy I picked up

chest. Her life, it seemed, had b

the shelves. "What color do you want for your toothbrush

red, her voice wa

h and cup into the cart.

oo," she

ure I was looking ridiculous as well from the looks I was getting. Walking besides I looked like her uncle or something, that's how s

rabbed the pink towel an

think much of it at first, distracted by the mundane task of picking up groceries. But

d, looked completely lost. Her small figure was huddled near the shelves, uncertain and hesi

down, hugging her knee

ng me. I told her to stay close

threw herself into my arms, her small frame shaking as she clung to me. "Sir, I fi

hanged at that moment. I couldn't bring myself to scold her.

hold me?" I asked, trying

. She had been so scared, and now she looked even more flustered.

, but this time, I ke

tably in the seat next to me. She kept holding he

it-the bright red stain on the b

t, my voice firm

, confused. "Sir

more embarrassed. I cleared my throat, trying to keep

tions. I watched her fumble her way into the seat. I wasn't used to dealing with these

's products were lined up neatly, but none of it made sense to me. I stared at the labels, scanning through them wit

e was doing buying these things. Her expression was a mixture of curiosity and amusement, but I didn't h

s my way, but one look at my face and the bag I was carrying kep

ds. Her eyes widened and I could see her soul leavin

hroom. My phone buzzed just as she closed the door.

that hit the old lady was driven by t

fury rushing through me. "Got it,"

me. This woman had the audacity to touch my reverse scale, and I coul

verywhere, even asked my family for help, but they never found her. In the end, they adopted a girl-just any girl-and pretended she was their biological child. To th

and Sophie emerged, her quiet vo

to sleep here tonigh

Sophie even thought it was

s her face didn't slow me down. I turned

•

moment to compose myself. My head was filled with the wom

ld and measured when they answered. "W

tical period for their cooperation. If we withdraw our investment now,

hem off, my tone b

my grandma, the only person I care about in this world, there was no such thing as 'too much' retalia

r end quickly complie

out into the night. The