Part 2 ⬇️

Her voice was calm.

Almost careful.

"My name is Sophie.

I think we need to talk."

I didn't breathe for a full three seconds.

"How did you get this number?" I asked.

"Julian gave it to me.

A long time ago.

He told me you were his sister."

The coffee shop noise faded.

Everything went quiet except the sound of my own heartbeat.

"He told you I was his sister," I repeated.

"I only found out last week that he was married," Sophie said.

"I found a photo.

I confronted him.

He told me it was complicated.

That you two were basically separated."

Basically separated.

We had slow-danced at our anniversary dinner twenty-two days ago.

"Sophie," I said carefully.

"How long have you and Julian been together?"

A pause.

"Three years."

Three years.

I had spent two of those years learning German in secret.

Julian had spent all three building an entirely different life.

"He told me he loved me," she said.

Her voice cracked slightly.

"He said once the baby came, everything would be sorted out."

Sorted out.

Helga's words came back to me like a slap.

*We'll make her raise this baby.*

"Sophie," I said quietly.

"Did Julian ever mention his mother's name?"

Another pause.

Longer this time.

"Yes.

He said she was the one who suggested the arrangement."

My hand tightened around the phone.

There was an arrangement.

—

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