Legal affairs

The proposition

The sun dipped low, casting a warm golden hue through the office windows as Sofia sat across from Christian. His expression remained controlled, almost too calm, as he absorbed the weight of her confession. His gaze never wavered, yet there was something behind those steely eyes—something Sofia couldn't quite put her finger on.

When he finally spoke, his voice was measured, betraying nothing of what he might be feeling. "I see," he said simply. "You can take the rest of the day off, Sofia. We'll discuss this later."

Relief and dread battled within her. She had expected anger, or worse, immediate dismissal. But the calmness in his tone was unnerving, leaving her grasping at straws, unsure of what to expect. "Thank you," she managed, her voice trembling despite her efforts to steady it.

Christian stood, signaling the end of their conversation. "One more thing," he added, his tone sharpening like a blade. "I don't appreciate being lied to. Whatever your reasons, you should have been upfront with me from the start."

His words cut through her, sharp and unforgiving. Sofia nodded, feeling the sting of his rebuke. "I'm sorry," she whispered, but Christian had already turned away, dismissing her as efficiently as he had addressed her.

Sofia walked out of his office on unsteady legs, her mind replaying his words on a loop. She made her way to Mia's desk, her colleague's eyes widening when she saw the distress on Sofia's face. "What happened?" Mia asked, her voice low with concern.

Sofia sank into a nearby chair, her hands trembling. "I told him everything," she whispered. "About Ivy, Christel, Tom... all of it."

Mia's eyes widened further, and she glanced around to ensure no one else was listening. "And what did he say?"

"He was calm," Sofia said, the word foreign on her tongue. "Too calm. He told me we'll discuss it later. I think I'm going to be fired, Mia. And if that happens, I'll lose Ivy."

Mia reached over, giving Sofia's hand a comforting squeeze. "Christian isn't as cold as he seems. I've known him for a while now—he has his moments, but he's not heartless. I'll talk to him, see if I can find out what he's thinking. Don't give up hope yet, okay?"

A sliver of relief worked its way into Sofia's chest. "Thank you, Mia. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"We're in this together," Mia reassured her. "Let's just get through today, and I'll see what I can find out."

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Sofia couldn't focus, her mind stuck on Christian's reaction and the uncertainty that hung over her like a dark cloud. By the time she picked up Ivy from daycare, she felt like she was moving through a dream—one where every step pulled her further underwater.

That evening, after putting Ivy to bed, Sofia called Elena, needing the steady voice of her friend to anchor her. Elena picked up on the second ring, her tone immediately filled with concern. "Sofia, what's going on? You sounded so worried in your message."

Taking a deep breath, Sofia explained everything—Christian's reaction, her fears about losing Ivy, and the dread that she might be fired.

"Oh, Sofia," Elena said softly, her voice heavy with sympathy. "I can't believe he'd fire you over this. You're one of the best they have. They'd be stupid to let you go."

"But what if they do?" Sofia's voice wavered. "I can't afford to lose my job, Elena. I can't lose Ivy. I'm terrified."

Elena was quiet for a moment before speaking again, her tone firm. "You're stronger than you think, Sof. No matter what happens, we'll figure something out. You're not alone in this."