Chapter 143
"Save you?"
Sophia's voice turned sharp and grating.
"He wasn't trying to save you. He was trying to save your heart."
My eyes widened. "What's the difference?"
"All the difference in the world." Sophia seemed to have regained control of the negotiation, leaning back leisurely in her chair, her hand unconsciously resting on her stomach. "Saving you means you're in danger. Saving your heart means he had ulterior motives."
"What proof do you have that you're telling the truth?" I kept my expression calm, but inside I was spiraling.
Sophia's smile faltered. She released her grip and stood up. "Lucinda, have you forgotten how Leo treated you these past few years? No matter what you asked for, he prioritized my needs. Even when you begged him to come back, he dismissed you. He even called off your engagement. A man who gave you the cold shoulder for three years suddenly risks his life for you. Does that make sense to you?"
Her words hit exactly where it hurt most. Leopold's reckless act had shattered my defenses, even rekindling hope for our relationship. But I'd been wavering all along, because it all happened too suddenly. I couldn't read Leopold's true intentions.
Now with Sophia's explanation, everything seemed to click into place.
"Lucinda, you can't outplay me, let alone compete with Leo. If you know what's good for you, you'll walk away now. Don't drag the Wipere family down with you and live to regret it!"
Sophia's words churned inside me like waves, refusing to settle. I didn't want to believe Sophia, but she had a point. Leopold had given me the cold shoulder for three years. During that time, he'd spent nearly every day with Sophia. Even when he knew I'd found Leo, he hadn't said a word. People don't just flip overnight like that.
Thinking of how Donovan had been wasting away, I couldn't help wondering if Leopold was trying to fulfill Donovan's wish. After all, Donovan wanted nothing more than for Leopold and me to reconcile.
Back in my car, I felt completely hollowed out. My phone rang, snapping me out of it. Seeing it was Amelia, I quickly answered.
"Amelia, what's up?"
"I came to visit Grandpa. He said you and Leopold made up?" Amelia's voice bubbled with barely contained excitement.
"I guess so."
"That's amazing! Maybe my life won't be so miserable anymore?" Amelia was practically bouncing with excitement. "Come on, let's go shopping!"
I was exhausted and didn't feel like going, but Amelia's enthusiasm was impossible to resist, so I agreed.
"Cindy, come on! I'm in such a good mood today. I'm buying you something."
The moment we met up, Amelia dragged me without preamble into a luxury boutique. We were browsing through clothes when Leopold suddenly called. Seeing the number, Amelia tactfully stepped out with the sales associate to give me privacy.
I took a steadying breath before answering.
"What took you so long to pick up? What are you doing?" Leopold's voice came through warm with amusement.
"Shopping with Amelia." My reply came out clipped.
"Sounds like I'm interrupting girl time." The amusement in his voice deepened.
"Not at all. We just started."
Leopold chuckled. "Then buy whatever you want. Don't hold back."
I hummed in acknowledgment, then asked, "What made you call? Not busy right now?"
"Just wrapped up. I'm at the estate checking on my grandmother."
At the mention of Alicia, my breath hitched. "Is she... not feeling well?"
"No. She wants to visit my grandfather at the hospital, but I won't allow it. So she's taking it out on her caretakers and threatening a hunger strike. I came to deal with it."
His tone had turned heavier. I ventured cautiously, "What if you let her visit?"
"Absolutely not." Leopold's voice was firm. "The second she sets foot in that hospital, she'll use every trick in the book to manipulate my grandfather and me. Better to keep her home where she can rest quietly."
His refusal brought a small measure of relief. Alicia had schemed against me twice, both times trying to drag me into hell. Peaceful coexistence with her was virtually impossible. Having Leopold take my side meant more than he knew.
A moment later, Leopold's low, smooth voice returned. "It's Brady's birthday tonight. He's having dinner with a few close friends. If you're free, want to come with me?"
My chest tightened. I'd never attended Leopold's friend gatherings before because I'd been consumed with dance practice. Later, when I'd wanted to join, Sophia had returned. Plus, some of his friends already assumed Leopold and Sophia were a couple, so I'd given up on the idea.
Gradually, Leopold stopped mentioning bringing me to events. Because I never appeared publicly with him, hardly anyone knew I was his fiancée, which led to those news stories painting me as the other woman between him and Sophia.
Now that he was inviting me, refusing seemed wrong.
"Okay. I'll pick up a gift to bring."
"You don't need to go to that trouble. We're all friends."
The more he insisted, the more determined I became. "It's still a birthday. A gift is appropriate."
Seeing my insistence, Leopold relented. "Fine. Just grab something simple. Don't stress over it." He lowered his voice deliberately. "Save all that thoughtfulness for me."
A laugh escaped me. He was a grown man acting jealous over birthday presents.
The second I hung up, Amelia cracked the door open, half-teasing, half-testing. "Safe to come back in?"
"Stop teasing. Get in here." I waved her in quickly.
Amelia breezed in with a knowing grin. "What did Leopold say to make you blush like that?"
My hand flew to my cheek. It was warm. "Nothing major. He wants me to come to a party with him tonight."
Amelia's eyes lit up. "Then we need to find you the perfect outfit ASAP. And book a full spa treatment. You're going to absolutely slay tonight!"
I opened my mouth to protest, but she was already in full-on mission mode, unstoppable.
By the time we finished the whole routine, it was six in the evening. Leopold said he'd pick me up, so Amelia and I waited inside for him.
"By the way, Cindy, does Leopold know about the Royal Ballet invitation?" Amelia brought it up suddenly.
I paused. "Maybe?"
"Maybe?" Amelia looked mildly surprised. "You haven't told him yet?"
I shook my head. "I was going last night, but something came up at his company, and he had to leave."
Amelia's expression turned serious. "I know he won't try to stop you, but I still think you should mention it."
I nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. I'll find the right moment tonight."
Soon enough, Leopold arrived to pick me up. Amelia made a quick excuse and slipped away.
The moment I slid into the car, I couldn't help showing off the gift I'd chosen. "I don't really know Brady, but Amelia recommended this. It should be good, right? What do you think?"
Leopold didn't respond. I glanced over, confused, and found him staring at his phone with a dark expression.
"What's wrong?"
Leopold pocketed his phone, his voice tight. "Cindy, something came up that I need to handle. The driver will take you there first. I'll be back in ten minutes, tops."