The engine started.
Sophia quickly stepped aside.
Even after Liam's car had disappeared down the street, she remained frozen on the sidewalk, her eyes full of resentment as she stared into the distance. Her face was pale, her whole demeanor crushed and dispirited, like someone plunged into an icy abyss.
Only when the car was long gone did she finally turn and head toward Lee Antiques.
Her legs felt like jelly. She could barely walk straight.
Inside the shop, James Lee was standing behind the counter with an oversized magnifying glass in hand, carefully inspecting a porcelain twin-handled floral vase.
Sophia swayed her hips over to him and said in a sugary voice, "Grandpa, you don't love me at all."
James nudged his reading glasses up the bridge of his nose and looked at her flatly. "If this is still about Ava, don't even start."
Sophia swallowed back her protest.
She crossed her arms and said instead, "Fine. I want to become your apprentice too."
