Legal affairs

The announcement

Sofia sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers trembling as she pressed send on the message to Marco. Her heart pounded with a mixture of dread and anticipation. Asking her brother to meet for lunch was the easy part—what awaited them at the restaurant was anything but simple. Marco was more than just her older brother; he was her protector, her guardian, the person who had taken on the role of both parents after their tragic death. Disappointing him felt like the ultimate betrayal, and the weight of that realization sat heavy on her chest.

She glanced over at Ivy, who was playing contentedly with her favorite stuffed bunny on the floor. The little girl looked up, her big brown eyes filled with concern as she sensed Sofia's unease.

"Sissy, why are you sad?" Ivy's voice was soft, her concern tangible even at her young age.

Sofia forced a smile, bending down to lift Ivy onto her lap. "I'm not sad, sweetheart. Just... nervous."

"About Uncle Marco?" Ivy asked, tilting her head in that endearing way that always melted Sofia's heart.

"Yeah," Sofia admitted, pressing a kiss to Ivy's forehead. "I have to tell him something important, and I'm not sure how he'll feel about it."

Ivy, in her sweet, innocent way, wrapped her small arms around Sofia's neck and snuggled closer. "It'll be okay, Sissy. Uncle Marco loves you."

Sofia blinked back tears at the simplicity of Ivy's reassurance. "Thank you, Ivy. I love you so much."

A buzz from her phone drew her attention, and she looked down to see Marco's reply. He had agreed to meet her at their usual spot. She exhaled slowly, trying to steady her nerves, but it felt impossible. As she put her phone down, Sofia caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror across the room—her face pale, eyes wide with fear.

On the drive to the small Italian restaurant where she and Marco often met, Sofia's mind was a whirlpool of thoughts. She rehearsed her words over and over, trying to find the right balance between honesty and caution, yet nothing felt right. The scenarios playing out in her mind were relentless: Marco's voice rising in anger, his face hardening in disappointment, the sense of betrayal etched in his eyes.

Maybe she should turn the car around, head back home, and pretend she hadn't sent that message. Maybe she should give it more time, ease Marco into the idea slowly. But deep down, she knew delaying the inevitable wouldn't make it any easier.

When Sofia arrived, Marco was already outside, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His expression softened slightly when he saw Ivy, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes when he looked at Sofia.

"Hey, Sof," Marco greeted her as she walked up, his tone warm but cautious. He bent down to scoop Ivy into his arms. "Hi, little munchkin!"

"Uncle Marco!" Ivy squealed, throwing her arms around his neck.

Marco hugged her tightly before setting her down and turning his attention back to Sofia. "What's going on?"

Sofia forced a smile, trying to hide her anxiety. "Let's talk inside."

They made their way to a corner booth, ordering drinks and a small meal. Sofia watched Ivy scribble on the kids' menu with the crayons the hostess had provided, her heart heavy with the knowledge of what she was about to say. As the minutes ticked by, her palms grew clammy, and her breath came in shallow, uneven bursts. Every time she opened her mouth to speak, the words stuck in her throat, fear squeezing her voice into silence.

Marco leaned forward, concern etched on his face. "Sofia, you're worrying me. What's this about?"

Sofia took a deep breath, reaching across the table to take Marco's hand. Her fingers trembled slightly as she spoke. "I need to tell you something, Marco."