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BACK WHEN

𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗍𝗐𝗈

┗━━━༻❁༺━━━┛

A week had passed since Sophie's late-night encounter with Kai in the kitchen, and as expected, he acted as if she didn't exist unless absolutely necessary. Now, it was Friday evening, and she found herself in the Andersons' dining room for their monthly family dinner, Vincent, Kai and Winter's older brother, had come home for the occasion.

Janice and her husband, Daniel, were in their usual seats at the heads of the table. Sophie sat beside Winter on one side, directly across from Kai and Vincent, who occupied the other. Sophie reached for her wine glass, tipping it back and letting the last of the liquid slide down her throat.

Sophie set her empty glass down, feeling the slight warmth of the wine unfurling through her. She glanced around the table, her gaze brushing over each of the Andersons in their own quiet conversations.

Her eyes flickered to Kai, who seemed intentionally focused on his brother, refusing to acknowledge her presence.

Winter's voice pulled her back to the present. "You good? You seem a bit... distracted."

Sophie turned, swallowing back her irritation. "Yeah, just tired, I guess." She forced a smile, but the words tasted empty.

Winter shrugged. "I feel that. We can head upstairs after this and binge-watch something stupid." She nudged Sophie's shoulder playfully, her own glass of wine in hand.

"Sounds good," Sophie nodded, but then paused, suddenly feeling eyes on her.

"So, Sophie," Vincent began, leaning forward with a curious smile, "anything new going on in your life?"

Sophie shrugged, forcing a casual tone. "Not really."

"Oh, come on," Janice teased, clearly a little tipsy from the wine. "Tell him about that hot date you've got lined up for tomorrow."

Sophie opened her mouth, but for a moment, no words came out.

"Do tell," Vincent pressed, taking a slow sip from his wine, clearly intrigued.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Sophie felt Kai's eyes on her. "He's just... some guy I met through Nicky," she shrugged, cheeks flushing.

"He's literally the hottest guy I've ever seen," Winter added, her enthusiasm only elevating Sophie's flustered state. "And he's a political science major."

Vincent perked up, glancing at his brother. "Isn't that your major too, Kai?"

Sophie blinked, surprised, catching Kai's eye for a brief second. The rest of the family looked just as puzzled as she felt.

"I'm... lost," Daniel admitted, shaking his head slightly.

Vincent winced, realizing he'd let the secret slip. "Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag."

Kai cleared his throat. "I got into Yale," he announced. "I'm flying out to New Haven on the first."

Gasps echoed around the table.

"Oh, honey, that's incredible news!" Janice exclaimed, beaming with pride.

"Yeah, Kai, that's amazing." Winter echoed, smiling brightly at him.

"Congratulations," Daniel nodded, lifting his wine glass toward Kai with a proud smile.

Kai gave a small nod, lifting his own glass in response. His eyes shifted to Sophie, taking a sip.

Sophie blinked, unsure how to process the news. He'd only recently returned from Iraq, and while it made sense that he'd want to go to school—that was why he'd joined the military, after all—it still felt too soon. Maybe it felt that way because things between them had shifted into something entirely different.

She forced a smile as everyone drifted back into their conversations. Rising from her seat, she slipped into the kitchen, her meal barely touched. Sophie rinsed her plate and set it in the sink, leaning her hands on the counter for support. She closed her eyes, taking a steadying breath.

"Sophie."

The sound of his voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned to see him standing in the archway.

She let out a quiet, sarcastic huff. "He speaks."

"Don't be like that."

Sophie's jaw clenched rubbing her eyes with a sigh. "God, I'm so stupid."

Kai took a step closer, his voice low. "I didn't expect any of this shit to happen."

"I get that you regret it, but fuck," Sophie exhaled, flinging her arms out in frustration. "You don't have to act like I don't even exist."

The muscle in his cheek twitched, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "I never said that."

"Yeah, you never said anything at all."

"I don't know what you want me to fucking say, Sophie," Kai began, frustration creeping into his tone. "I'm leaving soon, and I don't want to be responsible for breaking you."

"Oh, go fuck yourself," Sophie spat, glaring up at him. "I'm not a glass doll. I'm fully capable of having meaningless sex."

"Is that what that was?" Kai blinked at her, raising his eyebrows.

Winter suddenly walked into the kitchen, her empty plate in hand. Her eyes flicked between her brother and her best friend, who appeared to be in the middle of an argument. "What's going on?"

Kai glanced back at Winter, while Sophie quickly shifted her gaze to her best friend and stepped away from him. She forced a smile, trying to mask the tension. "Nothing."

────༻❁༺────

After her date on Saturday, Sophie returned home feeling conflicted. He was a nice guy, but her thoughts were so consumed by Kai that she couldn't connect with him. Days passed, and before she knew it, it was Wednesday. With her mother at work and her brother attending classes at the local university, the house was quiet.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, interrupting her concentration. She tossed her book aside and got to her feet, her socks gliding across the wooden floors as she made her way through the hallway. Stopping at the front door, she stood on her tiptoes to peek through the peephole and was greeted by the sight of Kai standing on the other side.

She pulled open the door, a sudden draft blowing her hair back slightly as their eyes locked. "Kai?"

"Hey," Kai breathed, stepping past her and into her home. Sophie, still a little dazed, took a moment to gather herself before shutting the door and turning to face him.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

Kai ran a hand through his hair, glancing around her home before meeting her gaze. "I wanted to see you."

"Oh?" Sophie raised her eyebrows, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Kai shook his head, a slight smile forming on his. "Shut up."

She glanced up at him through fluttering lashes, slipping past him and leading him into her room. She was still a bit mad, but after her disappointing date, she just wanted something real, something that actually felt good.

She knew he'd be leaving soon, and eventually, so would she; whatever they had would come to an end. But right now, she decided, she'd rather take what she could get while it lasted.

Sophie settled onto her bed, watching as Kai's eyes roamed the room. He had only been in her space a few times before, usually when she was too drunk to walk, and he had to carry her inside.

As Sophie leaned back against her pillows, a playful smile spread across her face.

"Stop looking at me like that," Kai warned, flicking his eyes to her.

"Like what?" she asked innocently, feigning confusion.

"Don't play stupid."

"What are you gonna do about it?" she asked suggestively.

Kai's expression shifted, his tongue grazing the inside of his cheek as he moved toward her. In one swift motion, he grabbed her by the ankle, dragging her down to the foot of the bed. A squeal of surprise escaped her lips as he moved on top of her, his arms braced on either side of her head.

"What's the matter? You look a little nervous," he teased.

"Is that what you think?" she challenged.

"Absolutely," he murmured, his gaze flickering to her lips. "And I'm more than willing to give you what you want."

Sophie felt a rush of heat wash over her, every instinct telling her to give in to the moment. But she couldn't resist the urge to tease back. "Well, maybe I don't want anything from you,"

"Don't bullshit me," he breathed, his lips only inches away from hers. "You're practically begging for it."

Before Sophie could respond, a voice cut through the tension. "You dirty little slut!"

Both Sophie and Kai whipped their heads toward the door, where Nick stood with the biggest grin plastered on his face.

"Nick," Kai acknowledged casually, still hovering over Sophie, unfazed by the interruption.

"Kai," Nick replied, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow at the scene before him.

"Hey, Nicky?" Sophie blinked at her brother. He tilted his head, clearly enjoying the moment. "Get the fuck out,"

Nick chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. He turned on his heel, still chuckling as he walked away, leaving Sophie and Kai alone again.

Sophie glared at the open door, then looked back at Kai, trying to regain her composure. "Well, that was embarrassing,"

────༻❁༺────

The Campbells and Kai sat around the circular dining table by the bay windows, the setting sun shining through the curtains. When Diane had come home, she'd invited Kai to stay for dinner, and he'd accepted with a polite nod. Conversation flowed easily as they ate, laughter filling the room—until Nick decided to cause a little drama.

"So," Nick started, sitting up and pulling his chair a little closer, "where's Winter?"

Diane looked over with interest, chiming in, "It is strange. She's usually with one of you, isn't she?"

Sophie's jaw tightened and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, casting a quick look at Kai. He met her gaze briefly before answering, "She's at home."

Nick ran his tongue over his bottom teeth, raising an eyebrow. "Interesting."

Sophie sighed, setting her fork down as her shoulders slumped. "Could you try not being a dick for, like, five seconds?"

"Impossible," Nick quipped, grinning as he took a bite of his food.

Sophie raised her middle finger at him, and he quickly mirrored the gesture with a grin.

"Alright, alright," Diane interjected, rolling her eyes at their antics. "Play nice."

────༻❁༺────

Kai lounged comfortably on her bed, his arm resting behind his head as Sophie sifted through her closet, searching for something more comfortable to wear.

"How was your date?" Kai asked.

Sophie glanced over her shoulder, a playful smile dancing on her lips as she caught his eye. "Why? You jealous?"

"Just answer the question, Sophie," Kai demanded as he pushed himself off the bed and moved toward her.

"Best date I ever had," Sophie replied, a mischievous glint in her eye as she reached behind her to unhook her bra, tossing it aside.

Kai hummed in response, his gaze steady as he placed his hands on her waist, gently turning her to face him. "Did you fuck him?" Kai asked, cocking his head slightly.

"Yes,"

Kai leaned down, brushing his lips against her earlobe. "Did you cum?"

A heated breath escaped Sophie's lips, and she instinctively tilted her head to expose more of her neck to him. "No."

One hand shifted to the other side of her neck, his thumb gently urging her to meet his gaze, their lips nearly brushing together. "Did you think about me when you were fucking him?"

She looked up at him through her lashes. "Yes."

His eyes darkened at her admission, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his features. But then, without warning, he pulled away slightly, his gaze dropping to her jean shorts. "Take those off,"

After a moment's hesitation, Sophie nodded in agreement. With intentional slowness, she reached down to unbutton her shorts. She shimmed out of them, revealing smooth skin, and then slipped her fingers beneath the waistband of her underwear, pushing them down until she stood completely bare before him.

Feeling a little self-conscious under his intense gaze, she instinctively crossed her arms to cover herself.

"Don't," Kai whispered, shaking his head firmly. He reached out, gently pulling her arms apart to reveal her fully. His gaze roamed over her body, taking in every curve and dip, a flicker of admiration and hunger in his eyes.

"You're very bossy," Sophie teased, sauntering toward the bed and settling down on the soft sheets.

"You're very bratty," he countered as he pulled off his shirt, revealing the toned muscles beneath.

Kai settled onto the bed beside her, propping himself up on one elbow so he could face her directly. His eyes traced her, lingering on every inch as if committing each beauty mark and freckle to memory. His free hand glided slowly along her skin, beginning at her neck, trailing down between the valley of her breasts, and stopping at her navel.

Sophie took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of her pulse thrum through her veins. Her tongue swept over her bottom lip, her body alive under his attention.

He leaned in closer as he pressed a gentle kiss to her collarbone while his hand slipped to her breast, his thumb teasing her sensitive peak. Lowering himself slightly, he enveloped the other bud with his mouth, swirling his tongue around it. Sophie's back arched instinctively at the sensation of his heated mouth against her skin.

He nipped gently at her nipple, holding her gaze as he did so. His hand slid down, tracing the dip of her ribcage, lingering along the curve of her waist before slipping behind to grab her ass, fingers digging into the flesh. Sophie let out a soft hum of pleasure, her body reacting instantly to his touch.

Sophie's hips lifted instinctively, her need clear. Kai's brows arched in silent amusement as his hand traveled lower until his fingers grazed her slit, gathering her arousal and sliding them deep inside her.

Sophie's mouth parted in a soft moan, her body melting into the bed. Kai kept his eyes locked on hers, watching every reaction as his thumb circled her sensitive nub with a practiced, torturous rhythm.

"Still thinking about your date?"

Sophie shook her head, eyes fluttering closed. "Fuck you."

"Only if you ask nicely," Kai countered, pulling his hand away, leaving her with a desperate ache. Sophie pouted, opening her eyes to see why he'd stopped—and caught sight of him slipping his fingers into his mouth, tasting her.

He held her gaze. "I'm waiting,"

She swallowed hard, trying to compose herself, but the need pooling inside her overpowered any lingering pride at the sight of him tasting her with that smug, intense look on his face.

"Kai..." she murmured, her voice soft, almost pleading. "Please."

He grinned, satisfied, leaning up to brush his lips over hers. "That's better," he murmured against her lips before he captured her mouth in a deep lingering kiss.

Before she realized it, he pulled away, standing up to unbuckle his belt. Sophie's gaze followed his every movement, barely containing the desperation that radiated through her. Her eyes followed the enticing V-line of his hips as he let his jeans and boxers slide down, revealing his rock-hard desire for her.

Kai lifted his hand, beckoning her closer with a subtle gesture of his two fingers. Sophie shifted to the edge of the bed before slowly reclining back down. He stepped between her legs, gripping the backs of her knees to lift them gently.

Aligning himself with her entrance, he plunged deep inside her, and a moan escaped Sophie's lips.

Kai lowered himself slightly, allowing the backs of her knees to slide onto his forearms as he pulled her closer, filling her completely until she thought she might burst. A low groan escaped him as he rolled his hips, savoring the tight heat around him

She was practically dripping with arousal, each thrust gliding smoothly as he pumped in and out of her. With a growing urgency, he picked up the pace, the sound of their bodies slapping together echoing in the room. Sophie's breath quickened, her breasts bouncing with each powerful thrust of his body against hers.

Kai slowed his pace deliberately, purposefully hitting her g-spot with each roll of his hips, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Touch yourself,"

Without hesitation, Sophie complied, her body humming with need. She snaked her hand down between them, fingers slipping over her clit as she rubbed in rhythm with his thrusts.

The combination of his movements and her own touch pushed her closer to the edge, overwhelming her senses in a way she had never experienced before. It felt as if she might combust at any moment, the pleasure building to an almost unbearable peak. Sophie could no longer contain her moans, each one escaping her and in that moment, she didn't give a fuck who heard as every ounce of restraint dissolved away.

"Come for me, baby," Kai encouraged.

The sound of his voice sent her tumbling over the edge, her legs twitching when her climax washed over her. A sudden wave of wetness erupted from her, slicking her thighs and everything in between. She couldn't stifle the cry that escaped as riptides of pleasure assaulted every inch of her. The intensity was so overwhelming that she felt as if she might black out from the sheer force of it.

Kai watched in amazement as she unraveled beneath him, his gaze fixed on where their bodies connected.

"Have you ever done that before?" Kai asked, his eyes wide with awe as he took her in.

Sophie shook her head, breathless. "Mm-mm."

"Fuck." Kai groaned, his eyes darkening as he dropped her legs. "Flip over."

Sophie nodded, turning onto her stomach and positioning herself so that her feet rested on the ground while her ass pressed against him. Her skin glistened with sweat, and she could feel the evidence of her intense orgasm drip between her thighs.

Kai slid his length along her slickness, teasing her for just a moment before thrusting deeply into her once more. His hand found her hips, gripping them tightly.

Still slightly overstimulated, it took Sophie a moment to build her pleasure again, but it came quickly with the relentless force of his body against hers.

Kai's hand moved from her hip, following the curve of her ass and gliding over the tattoo on her lower back before traveling up her spine. His fingers wove into the roots of her hair, gripping the strands tightly, a mix of pleasure and a hint of pain that only intensified her arousal.

Kai doubled over, spilling into her with a low groan. The warmth of him filled her, igniting a blissful sensation that spread through her core. He collapsed onto her back, his breath warm and heavy against her sweaty skin as his lips brushed over her shoulder.

────༻❁༺────

Night had fallen, and it seemed that Kai was worn out from the events of the day. He lay on his stomach under her covers, clad only in his boxes, his face turned toward her with his cheek pressed into the pillow.

Sophie, unable to sleep, lay next to him, watching intently. Turning onto her side, she gently brushed his hair from his face, captivated by the peacefulness of his expression. If she hadn't been in love with him before, she certainly was now, and that realization terrified her more than anything.

Tears brimmed her eyes at the thought of him leaving, and as selfish as it felt, she wished he could stay.

She would never ask that of him, so instead, she simply watched him, daydreaming about the life they could share. Unsure if he felt anything more than lust for her, she allowed herself to indulge in the fantasy, even though it only deepened her ache for something more.

Kai began to shift restlessly in his sleep, his expression contorting into a wince as if he were trapped in a nightmare. A flicker of fear crossed his features, prompting Sophie to lift herself in concern. She watched him closely as he whimpered softly, his body tensing beneath the covers.

"Kai?" Sophie called out softly, her concern deepening as she reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He remained unresponsive, lost in whatever plagued him. Tenderly, she cupped his cheek, her fingers trailing down to his shoulder blade , gently shaking him. "Hey, Malakai."

Kai's eyes shot open, a jolt of surprise coursing through him as he instinctively recoiled. For a moment, he seemed disoriented, lost in the remnants of a nightmare.

"Hey, it's okay," Sophie reassured him, withdrawing her hand from his back. "You're okay."

He blinked rapidly as the reality of his surroundings slowly came into focus. He sat up, raking his fingers through his hair in a bid to shake off the remnants of the dream. As his breaths gradually steadied, he took a moment to collect himself.

Sophie watched him closely, her concern deepening as she noticed the tension still lingering on his shoulders. "Do you want to talk about it?" she offered, hoping to draw him back into the present.

He shook his head, eyes still distant. "No,"

Sophie knew he struggled with PTSD from his time in the military, and a pang of guilt washed over her for having tried to wake him. She watched him closely, searching for any signs that he was okay.

After a moment of silence, she leaned in slightly, concern etched on her face. "What do you usually do to calm down?"

────༻❁༺────

Sophie leaned in slightly to turn on the shower in her shared bathroom, feeling the warmth radiate from the spray as she adjusted the temperature. Kai leaned against the sink, arms crossed to defend against the chill of the night as he watched her. She glanced back at him, a small smile creeping onto her face. "It's all ready for you."

Kai raised an eyebrow, slipping his boxes off. "You're not joining me?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Get in the shower, Sophie," he commanded, stepping past her to push the curtain aside and stepping into the warm stream of water.

Sophie watched his silhouette for a moment then tugged her tank top over her head, tossing it onto the sink. Her underwear followed suit, joining the fabric in a pile.

As the steam filled the small bathroom, she pulled the tie out of her hair, letting it cascade down her back in loose waves. She pushed the curtain aside and stepped into the shower. His back faced her, the droplets glistening on his skin as they fell from his tousled hair.

Her gaze traveled over his body, pausing as it settled on the deep scar etched into his side. She reached out, her fingers brushing against him, tracing its line.

Kai turned to face her, water cascading down his muscular frame as he stepped back and out of the stream. He grasped her forearms, gently pulling her into the warm stream. The water enveloped her and she instinctively tilted her head back to keep it out of her eyes.

With a tender touch, his hands moved to her hair, pushing it back to let the water soak through the strands.

She watched him, her heart swelling with affection at the gentleness of his touch. His hands slid down to cup her face, fingers tracing the outline of her jaw as his thumbs brushed against her cheeks.

The way he looked at her made her second-guess everything she thought she knew about their connection. A small smile curled on his lips before he leaned down and kissed her. Their mouths met, and the warmth of his lips made her melt against him .

He pulled away from her face but drew her body closer. She rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. One of his hands wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly, while the other cradled the back of her head , fingers threading through her damp hair.

────༻❁༺────

Kai had left early Thursday morning after spending the day with her, and now, as the weekend rolled around again, Sophie found herself standing in front of the Anderson house. She crouched down, retrieving the spare key from beneath the rock before unlocking the door and slipping inside.

Silence filled the house and she climbed the stairs slowly. The hallway was empty, and when she passed Kai's room, she stopped, her hand hesitating on the doorframe. She peeked in, the room as still and empty as the rest of the house.

"What are you doing?" Winter's voice cut through the silence, making Sophie jump. Winter had emerged from her room, eyeing her with mild suspicion.

"Oh, uh..." Sophie stammered, pulling away from Kai's door and glancing at Winter. "Where's Kai?"

Winter sighed, looking almost weary. "New Haven."

A lump formed in Sophie's throat. "What?"

"He left last night. Only told me," Winter explained, pressing her lips together.

Sophie felt the sting of tears rising, but she forced them back, blinking rapidly to keep herself composed. "Poor Janice," she uttered, attempting a casual smile.

Winter's eyes narrowed with a hint of suspicion as she followed Sophie into her room. Sophie dropped her bag onto Winter's bed, her shoulders slumping as she took a shaky breath, fighting to ignore the ache spreading in her chest.

"You know...you two have been acting really weird," Winter pointed out, crossing her arms and watching Sophie intently.

Sophie tried to brush it off, but a lone tear escaped, betraying her. She quickly wiped it away, turning to face Winter. "I don't know what you mean," she muttered, her voice wavering.

Winter stepped closer, her expression softening. "Come on, Sophie. I'm not stupid."

At that, Sophie's defenses crumbled, her bottom lip trembling as a flood of emotions poured out. "Fuck," she whispered, a fresh wave of tears spilling over.

Winter's face softened, and she closed the distance between them, pulling Sophie into a tight embrace. "Hey, I'm not mad at you,"

Sophie looked up, surprised and relieved. "You're not?"

Winter shrugged, brushing a stray piece of hair out of Sophie's face. "Maybe I'm a little mad at Kai for clearly hurting you, but never at you."

Sophie broke down completely, letting herself cry into her best friend's shoulder as Winter held her, offering the comfort she desperately needed.

────༻❁༺────

It had been two weeks since Kai left, and Sophie had deliberately avoided any and all thoughts about him. She'd been angry at first, feeling like he didn't care enough to say goodbye. But after the initial hurt faded, she tried to understand—he had school and responsibilities that seemed a world away from her.

Sophie was lounging on the couch with her family, watching their favorite movie when a strange wave of nausea swept over her, making her bolt upright. She pressed a hand to her stomach, feeling clammy and disoriented.

"Honey? You okay?" Diane asked, concern etched into her face as she sat up, brushing Sophie's hair back to get a better look at her.

Sophie swallowed, feeling saliva pooling in her mouth as she fought to keep the bile down. Her skin turned a sickly shade, and, without another word, she jumped up and dashed into the kitchen. She barely made it to the sink before she threw up, gripping the edge as she emptied her stomach.

From the living room, Nick winced, exchanging a concerned glance with their mother as they watched her from afar.

As Sophie steadied herself against the sink, her head spinning, she suddenly felt her mom's gentle hand on her back, rubbing slow, soothing circles.

"You sick, baby?" Diane asked softly.

Nick moved to the kitchen with a smirk, arms crossed. "Weird how you're feeling sick after Kai leaves. Are we expecting?"

Sophie whipped her head toward him, shooting a death glare. "Very funny, Nicky."

Sophie shook her head, but her heart began to pound. She had brushed off the fatigue and nausea as stress or a bug, but Nick's words planted a seed of doubt.

"Did you use protection?" Diane asked, and Sophie turned her head slightly, contemplating the question.

Sophie grimaced. "No."

"Did he pull out?" Nick pressed.

Sophie let out a shaky breath. "No."

"Sophie," Diane scolded lightly, tilting her head. "I know damn well you understand how babies are made."

"Yes, Mom," Sophie replied, rolling her eyes. "I didn't think—" Suddenly, the realization hit her, and she cursed at herself. "Son of a bitch." That would explain why she had been feeling this way, and she felt so foolish for not considering it sooner.

────༻❁༺────

Sophie's hand shook as she held the test, the unmistakable two pink lines glaring back at her. Her mother and brother stood on either side of her, their eyes fixed on the undeniably positive test.

"Fuck," she whispered.

Nick's eyes widened slightly, his mouth pulling into a tight line, and for once, he actually looked speechless. But that look of shock quickly morphed into something she recognized—he was just dying to say something.

"Not a word," Diane cut in, eyeing him with a stern warning.

Nick held his hands up in defense. "I didn't even say anything."

Sophie let out a shaky breath, her fingers clutching the test so tightly she thought it might snap. "Mom..." she began, her voice hoarse. "What am I going to do?"

────༻❁༺────

Sophie sat cross-legged on her bed, the silence in her room pressing in around her as she stared at her phone, thumb hovering over the keypad. Her fingers ached to press call , to hear Kai's voice on the other end. But a lingering voice in the back of her mind held her back, reminding her how things had ended.

What was she even hoping for if she called? That he'd drop everything, abandon school, get a barely-paying job just to be there for her and the baby? That wasn't fair, and deep down, she knew it wasn't 't realistic.

The ache in her chest was as real as the knot of worry in her stomach. She didn't want Kai's life built on sacrifice and resentment. Besides, with the way he'd left, barely a word or a goodbye, she doubted he 'd even answer.

If she were going to do this, she realized, she'd have to do it alone. Taking a deep breath, she set the phone aside, staring at the ceiling and bracing herself for what came next.

Her phone buzzed, and her heart leapt for a split second before the name flashed across the screen— Winter .

Sophie took a steadying breath, knowing she couldn't share the news with her either; it would only make its way straight back to Kai.

Accepting the call, she tried to keep her voice steady. "Hey, Win."

"Guess what!" Winter's excitement practically beamed through the phone.

Sophie couldn't help but smile. "What?"

"The person they gave the scholarship to at Vassar backed out! So they're offering it to me!"

"No way!"

"They want me to come as soon as possible, since the semester's already started," Winter explained. Sophie's smile changed, replaced with a sinking feeling in her chest.

"That's amazing, Winnie," Sophie managed, her tone shifting slightly as she swallowed the sudden emptiness.

Winter paused. "Hey, you okay? You sound... weird."

Sophie cleared her throat, her fingers tightening on her phone. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind, I guess. But really, I'm happy for you. You deserve this."

"Well, it's just... I know things have been a little weird since Kai left," Winter spoke gently. "I'm here for you, you know that, right?"

Sophie hesitated, biting her lip, struggling with the temptation to open up. But she couldn't risk it.

"Yeah, I know. I'm just tired," Sophie lied, letting out a small laugh. "Maybe a little sad that my best friend is abandoning me for Vassar."

"I'm just a call away, you know that. We're practical sisters. You'll never really get rid of me."

"Good," Sophie replied, a hint of her genuine smile returning. "I don't want to."

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