Playing Mrs. Beckett

, Sophie woke up to

n, operating the coffee machine. It was what she got for their first wedding an

ting across from each other. Before them were a glass of espresso and Adrian's special sandwich. He used to make it for Sophie back when they were st

ew that even those memories

place. It didn't help that Adrian was there, smiling with undenia

relationship between Adrian and Julia had been strictly professional. But that gaze,

found it hard to

. "There you are, sleepyhead," he said with that velvety voice of his. His arm effortlessly wrapped around Sop

a Hall politely greeted. Sophie re

e said. "Did you

able, yes. Sadly I was to

phie didn't miss that, just like she didn't m

ve in to Julia's taunt. Too soon. "Tha

he spoke of work, as if deliberately using specialized jargon thinking Sophie wouldn't understand. Julia effortles

ght. Sophie Beckett

. "What do we think about wo

etic face. "Sorry, darling," he said, and with two

walked towar

ls, stood up. "And I, too, shall excus

room to help Adrian prepare. She found Adrian buttoned up his shirt, and for the first time in t

led. "Just in time. Which

d towards the armchair instead, Adr

phi

fusion. When Adrian saw this, he felt a stir of unease. But this was Sophie. His meek and understanding Sophie. A

anything, Sophie spoke first.

an f

r two days without a word. You were the one who set up rules

phi

day was in J

at he had raised his voice. When he caught himself, he stopped, then tu

eve that Adrian, ever the soft-spoken man, had just raised h

as detached as s

ry. I was wrong. Please don't cry, okay?" he said, scrambling to calm her down. He w

hisper. She lifted her head, her eyes meeting Adrian's. As if having n

hie Langham once again. Fierce, unyielding, wi

e diff

Adrian felt a shi