24. Can I be your friend?
Adrian's POV:
I was halfway through my breakfast when my mind drifted back to yesterday.
Sophia.
The way she looked.
Distant. Detached.
Earlier, she used to look at me-hesitantly, softly... sometimes even with hope. She would try to start conversations, even if I barely responded.
But yesterday-
She didn't even spare me a glance.
Not a single word.
Not even a formality.
It was as if I didn't exist.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when my phone rang.
Lily.
A small smile formed on my lips as I picked up.
"Good morning, Daddy!" she chirped.
"Good morning, princess," I replied.
"Daddy, come on time to pick me up, okay? Don't forget me. Mommy and Aunt June will also leave for work."
I let out a soft laugh. "Yeah yeah, I'm coming right now. I'm ready, just finishing breakfast. You be ready."
"Yeah , Yeah I am always on time." she giggled. "Bye bye!"
"Yes ma'am," I said, smiling as the call ended.
I drove to June's apartment.
As soon as I parked the car, I saw them.
Sophia and Lily walking out of the building.
Lily was blabbering something nonstop, and Sophia... she was listening.
Patiently. Softly.
That same calm expression.
That same warmth.
But not for me now.
Lily spotted me and immediately ran over.
"Daddy!! I had so much fun yesterday!" she exclaimed.
"Oh really?" I smiled, bending slightly.
"Yes! I slept with Mommy and she hugged me all night!" she added excitedly.
"I see... so you had fun," I said, patting her cheek.
"Yesss!"
I looked up at Sophia.
She didn't look at me.
Not even once.
She crouched down beside Lily, adjusting her hair gently.
"Okay baby, time for school. Be a good girl, and if anything happens, Mommy is just one call away, okay?"
Lily nodded seriously. "But you don't forget to charge your phone!"
Sophia laughed lightly. "Yes, ma'am. Fully charged today."
Her laugh...
For a moment, it felt unfamiliar.
Just then, another sleek black car halted beside us.
The door opened.
And he stepped out.
Oliver Sinclair.
His eyes flickered between us-me, Sophia, and Lily-clearly trying to piece things together.
"Hi," he said, looking at Sophia.
Sophia smiled. "Hi! You here?"
"Yeah, this is on the way to my office," he shrugged, then turned to me. "Mr. Whitmore... you here?"
"I came to pick up my daughter," I replied curtly.
He looked at Lily, then back at Sophia.
Realization dawned.
"Ohh..." he let out, almost amused. "So your secret wife is Sophia... and she is your and Sophia's daughter."
Before I could respond, he added casually-
"I honestly thought Vanessa was your secret wife and your daughter's mother."
My jaw tightened.
Before I could say anything, Lily spoke up loudly-
"No! Vanessa is not my Mommy! She was mine and Daddy's best friend... but now she's not as she didn't pick up my calls since yesterday. "
There was a brief silence.
Sophia froze for a second as if realizing why Lily was suddenly missing her.
And I felt... uncomfortable.
Oliver, however, recovered quickly.
He crouched down to Lily's level, smiling.
"Well then, can I be your friend?"
Lily frowned. "But I don't know you."
"I'm Oliver," he said warmly. "Your Mommy's friend."
Lily looked at Sophia.
Sophia nodded.
"Yeah baby, I told you about him yesterday."
Lily's eyes widened. "Ohhh! You're the one who saved Mommy yesterday!"
Oliver chuckled. "Saved is a big word, but yes."
"Okay! We can be friends!" Lily said, shaking his hand seriously.
He stood up, smiling.
Then he turned to Sophia.
"Need a lift?"
"No no, it's fine," she said quickly.
"Come on," he insisted gently. "We're going to the same place. And you're already ready , I believe. "
She hesitated for a moment.
Then... she smiled.
"Okay. I'll just grab my things."
She turned to leave.
Then paused.
"Oliver, come upstairs. At least have coffee."
"No no, I already had breakfast-"
"At least come," she insisted lightly. "You helped me yesterday. Let me do something."
He smiled. "Oh is that so then fine."
They both turned.
Walked inside together.
Talking.
Laughing.
Just like that.
And I stood there.
Frozen.
Watching her walk away...
with someone else.
A strange heaviness settled in my chest.
This wasn't anger.
This wasn't irritation.
This was-
something else.
Something unfamiliar.
Something I didn't want to name.
Because for the first time-
it felt like Sophia wasn't just leaving the mansion...
She was leaving me.
And this time-
she wasn't looking back.
And this was first time I was feeling like I wish I could have not treated her the way I did.