CHAPTER 53

Sophie

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The morning was cold, but it couldn’t compete with the chillness in Alex’s tone. “So let me get this straight. You are saying Sophie is accusing Timmy of stealing her design.” Alex’s eyes jumped between Mrs. Moore and Timmy. He turned to me. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Warmth broke into his tone.

I sat without uttering a word, leaving silence to swallow the meeting room, not because I was terrified but because I was struggling with my pregnancy symptoms. Each time I opened my mouth, the nausea threatened to escape. Each inhale infused me with more fatigue.

Mrs. Moore scoffed and leaned back into the chair. “I don’t care whether you get it straight or not, but it is what it is. I was disappointed too. Since you spoke so highly of her. Like she was special.”

Alex cut her off. “Let Sophie speak first.” He glared at Mrs. Moore. He turned back to me. “Explain what happened to me.” His tone was like a chameleon—cold to Mrs. Moore and warm to me.

Mrs. Moore glowered, an