We met at an old cafe near the beach, where we used to hang out during our college days.
Sophie arrived, thinner and paler than before, without makeup or jewelry.
But her eyes were still the same — gentle, deep, and sad.

“You’ve changed a lot.”
“Me too.”

We talked like two strangers.
I saw a bit of regret in her eyes.
I thought: “The plan is working.

The next few days, I took the initiative to pick up Noah.

At first Sophie objected, but I said I just wanted to be near her.
She reluctantly agreed.