Chapter 268: The First Dance

Chapter 268: The First Dance

(Sophia POV)

Noah came walking over from the staircase direction. His steps weren't fast, but each one carried a presence that couldn't be ignored. He walked up to me, glanced at William's outstretched hand, then looked down at me.

"Fiona, the first dance. Dance with me."

Not a discussion, not a request. William's hand was still hanging in mid-air. I looked at William, then at Noah. I didn't hesitate for long.

"Okay."

I walked past William and took Noah's arm. When our backs were to William, I didn't look back at him, but I knew his hand was still hanging there. That scene probably didn't look great. But I couldn't look back.

When we walked into the center of the dance floor, several men who'd been waiting to ask someone quietly stepped back.

William put his hand back in his pocket, stood there, his expression not really changing.

Chloe came over with a juice, stood next to him, said something. William didn't answer.

I knew Chloe was standing up for him, but some things can't be fixed by standing up for someone.

On the dance floor, Noah put one hand on my waist, the other holding my fingers, leading me in a slow turn.

His movements weren't exactly textbook, but they were steady.

His hands were large, the warmth of his palm coming through the fabric—not hot, but solid.

"Nervous?" he asked, looking down.

"A little," I admitted honestly. "I'm not very good at dancing."

"It's fine, you can step on my feet."

I smiled a bit, my shoulders relaxing some. The music flowed slowly, soft lights falling on the two of us. After leading me through a few steps, he suddenly spoke.

"Fiona."

"Mm?"

"William—what do you think of him?"

I looked up, meeting his eyes. "He's been very good to me."

He nodded slightly, as if processing that statement. "He has helped you a lot." He paused for two beats. "But the distance between you two is too close."

My steps slowed a beat. "What do you mean?"

"Today he put that bracelet on you in front of everyone, his fingers circling your wrist twice." His tone was even. "He's your friend, not your family. That kind of thing should be done by me."

My mouth opened. "Noah, he didn't mean anything by it!"

"I'm not saying he meant anything by it." He cut me off.

"I'm talking about boundaries. He's helped you, I remember that, and I'll repay it later. But you don't need to accept everything just because you owe him. When he offers something, you can refuse. You're the Brooks family's daughter. You don't owe anyone."

I didn't answer right away. I looked down at the silver chain on my wrist. Three small gems glinting in the light.

He was right. It wasn't that I didn't owe anyone—I just wasn't used to people being good to me, so good that I didn't know how to repay them.

So when William offered something, I took it. When Owen offered something, I took it too. Not because they shouldn't give, but because I was afraid that if I refused, no one would ever give me anything again.

But Noah was right. It wasn't that I didn't owe—I was afraid not to owe.

"I understand," I said softly.

He didn't press further. He led me through another turn, slowing down even more, as if worried I couldn't keep up.

"If something comes up in the future, tell me." His voice dropped lower. "Don't carry it yourself, and don't let others carry it for you. You have a brother."

My nose stung. I nodded, tightening my fingers a bit in his palm.

At the edge of the dance floor, Chloe held her juice, her eyes following us the whole time. I knew she was watching. She knew everything. She was probably thinking about how to get William into this dance too. She never gave up.

The song reached its climax. According to the usual flow of these events, during the peak section there'd be a partner switch—the men move one position to the right, the women accept new partners.

The music hit the key change, the tempo picking up a bit, the lights shifting too, from warm yellow to pale gold.

Chloe had somehow gotten next to William, pulling his arm and dragging him toward the dance floor.

William was pulled to the edge of the dance floor. The two of them pretended to dance, but Chloe kept angling toward Noah and me.

I saw it. Noah saw it too. He didn't say anything, just kept leading me in turns.

The music reached that moment. The host said with a smile from the stage: "Ladies and gentlemen, switch partners please."

People on the dance floor started moving. Chloe stepped to the right in time with the beat, letting go of William's hand. Then she reached out and gave William's back a push. Not hard, but perfectly aimed. William stumbled forward half a step, stopping right in front of me.

Noah's hand was still on my waist. Sensing the movement nearby, he turned his head. Chloe stood two steps away, flashing Noah a bright smile.

"Mr. Brooks, switch for a round?"

She held out her hand.

Noah looked at Chloe, then at William. His gaze swept back and forth between them. He didn't move right away. Chloe's hand stayed out, not pulling back.

I stood in the middle, not yet processing what was happening. William straightened his cuffs, facing me, his expression back to its usual look.

"Sophia, do you mind?"

My mouth opened, my eyes instinctively turning to Noah.

Chloe's hand was already pulling on Noah's arm.

"Mr. Brooks, just one round. You can't leave me standing alone on the dance floor, right? How awkward."

Noah looked down at Chloe's hand gripping his arm. Something flickered in his eyes, very briefly. Then he looked at me. I gave him a small nod. Very small.

His gaze stayed on my face for a second, as if confirming something. Then his hand released from my waist, and he was half-dragged, half-led away by Chloe.