Alva held Alice in her arms while Sophie walked beside her through the mall, scanning the shelves for baby formula.
"Is she that hungry?" Sophie asked, glancing at the happy baby.
"Yes," Alva sighed. "She doesn't really eat unless her dad takes care of her. He sings her lullabies and somehow gets her to eat. And she won't take food from me—only if I breastfeed her."
"That true, Alice?" Alva teased, tickling the baby's tummy. Alice giggled and gave a sweet smile in response.
"Why doesn't her dad just order the formula then?" Sophie asked.
"Uh… he gets a different kind. She doesn't like it. She likes this one better," Alva lied as she tossed a few containers into the shopping cart.
After buying the formula, they headed into a boutique called Lush Trends, a high-end clothing store known for elegant and bold outfits. The walls were lined with soft golden lighting and mannequins dressed in chic, daring dresses.
"Hello ma'am, what can we help you with today?" a store assistant greeted.
"Just looking for something sexy for her," Alva said, gesturing to Sophie.
"Wait—what are you doing?" Sophie asked, confused.
"Shhh. I'll tell you later," Alva whispered, nudging Sophie forward toward the racks of dresses.
"Isn't your aunt acting a little strange?" Sophie whispered into Alice's ear as the baby stared at her with wide, innocent eyes.
Inside the fitting area, Alva sorted through dresses, shaking her head at each one. "No, that's wrong. Too long. Too boring." She passed over several outfits until she spotted it—the perfect dress.
It was a deep purple satin gown with a plunging neckline, a thigh-high slit on one side, and crisscross straps in the back. The fabric shimmered subtly under the boutique lights, hugging curves in all the right places. It was elegant yet undeniably sexy.
"This one," Alva said with a smirk.
She quickly paid for the dress and they left the store. Sophie narrowed her eyes. "You still haven't told me why you bought me a gown."
"No reason," Alva shrugged, walking ahead.
"Alva, I know you're lying. Who lies in front of their own kid?" Sophie said, eyeing Alice—who was now content, sucking on a soft silicone teether shaped like a bunny, the little ears poking out from her mouth.
Alva stopped walking. The guilt hit her hard.
"Okay, fine. It's Kyle. He wants to take you out for dinner tonight at 10 PM," Alva confessed.
"Really?" Sophie asked, her eyes lighting up.
"Yes. But don't tell Cody I told you. Or Kyle."
"I won't," she grinned, hugging the dress.
"So go home, wear your dress, and wait in the bedroom. If he doesn't show up by 10, then… well, you'll know it's off."
"Okay!" Sophie beamed. "It's already 8 PM. I better go get ready!" She waved and caught a taxi.
Alva stood there holding Alice, watching the cab drive away. She glanced down at her daughter, still sucking on the bunny-shaped teether, and sighed.
"Am I really a liar?" she muttered.
Alice blinked up at her with wide eyes, then sucked harder on the toy.
"Arrgh…"
****
Sophie arrived at her house to grab a pair of earrings and her bag before heading to Kyle's place. As she stepped inside, the smell of smoke hit her. Her stepbrother, Stephan, was sprawled out on the couch, lazily puffing on a joint.
She ignored him and walked past.
"Hey, bitch! Didn't you see me?" he called out.
"Ugh, where's your mom and my dad?" she asked, annoyed.
"They went out. What are you doing here? Need money again? I thought you said you weren't ever coming back."
"I did. I just came to pick up a few things," she said, rolling her eyes and heading to her room.
"Good luck. Be fast before they come back."
A few minutes later, Sophie walked out with a small bag. Just as she reached the door, she saw her dad walking in. She tried to walk past him, but he stopped her.
"Come back here. I need to talk to you."
"Speak," she said flatly.
"Come back home. I'll give you my company."
"I don't need it," she replied coldly, brushing past him.
She arrived at Kyle's home at 9:50 PM.
"Oh my God," she muttered, rushing into the house. She quickly undressed, hopped into the shower, and bathed fast. The scent of her perfume—Velvet Bloom—filled the air, a luxurious fragrance with soft notes of wild jasmine, vanilla, and a hint of musk. After drying off, she put on the sexy purple gown Alva had picked out, along with her earrings. By 10:12 PM, she walked into the dining room.
She wore a hopeful smile, waiting for Kyle.
But as the clock ticked, her smile faded. It was 10:30 PM. Her face fell as disappointment crept in. She started pacing back and forth in the room, her nerves fraying. When the clock hit 11:00, she stopped in her tracks.
"Maybe the dinner was cut. I wasted my time hoping for Kyle to come," she said bitterly.
Frustrated, she stormed back into the room, tore off her gown and earrings, and stepped into the shower, scrubbing away the sweet perfume. She changed into a pair of short jeans and Kyle's oversized blue t-shirt, then climbed into bed, hurt and angry.
At 11:30 PM, she received a message from Alva asking about the dinner.
Sophie replied: It's a cut-off.
Moments later, another message came from Alva: Come out. Let's go to dinner instead.
Sophie sat up in bed and sighed. Then, without replying, she got out and peeked through the window. It was dark, but she could see Alva in the garden, holding Alice, who was waving excitedly.
Sophie stepped out into the garden. It was darker than usual, the wind brushing against her skin.
"Why aren't you wearing the gown?" Alva asked softly, patting Alice to sleep.
"Kyle didn't come. So… where are we going?"
"I can't go to a club. Still breastfeeding," Alva chuckled. "Let's just take a walk here. I'm bored. Cody isn't home, Alice won't sleep without him, and you're alone too. Let's stroll until she falls asleep."
"Okay," Sophie agreed.
They walked deeper into the garden. The further they went, the darker and eerier it felt.
"I think something's wrong. It wasn't this dark before," Sophie whispered.
"Yeah… it feels kinda creepy," Alva said. Suddenly her phone rang, lighting up with Babe on the screen. "That's Cody. Wait here," she said, walking off with Alice in her arms.
Sophie sat on a nearby bench, opening her phone. She scrolled through the memories—photos with Kyle: one where he carried her, another where they kissed, and one of him shirtless, smiling over his shoulder. A soft smile played on her lips, but tears welled up in her eyes.
Then suddenly, the entire garden lit up.
Soft fairy lights dangled from tree branches, wrapping around the trunks like glowing vines. A stream nearby sparkled with tiny floating candles, and the waterfall shimmered with soft purple and gold lights. The flowers bloomed in bright, radiant colors, and the entire garden looked like something out of a dream.
Sophie stood up, stunned.
Then Kyle stepped into the light.
He looked impossibly handsome, wearing a sleek black suit with a rose held gently between his lips. Behind him was a giant flower arch, lit up with fairy lights and covered in fresh roses. In one hand, he held a huge bouquet, and with the other, he walked slowly toward her.
Then all the flowers lit up one by one, revealing bold glowing words:
On the hibiscus: I'm sorry for coming home late.
On the sunflower: Babe, I know you're mad, but please forgive me.
And on a delicate white rose in the center: Will you be the woman of my dreams? Will you marry me, Sophie?
She stared in disbelief, unsure what to say.
Kyle knelt in front of her, holding out a silver ring.
"Will you marry me, Sophie?" he asked, smiling up at her.
From the bushes, Alva whispered, "Say yes…"
Sophie stood there quietly before finally speaking. "So, you'll leave me over a little issue? Or come home late and just sleep without talking to me?"
"I promise I won't be like that again," Kyle said, wiping her tears gently. "I promise not to leave you alone or make you feel unattended. I want to spend my life with you. I'll cherish you, love you, and never take you for granted."
"Okay," she whispered.
"Is that a yes?" he asked, eyes hopeful.
"I… I don't know."
"I'll take that as a yes," he said, grinning as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
Suddenly, glowing letters filled the air: She agreed to be with me.
Then, flower petals began falling like soft rain from the trees, and Kyle pulled her into a kiss.
"Isn't this beautiful?" he whispered.
"Yes, it is."
"isn't Sophie beautiful."
"Not as much as you," he replied.
From behind, Alva giggled and gave him a playful smack on the arm.
"Dada," Alice said softly as Cody picked her up and kissed her cheek.
"So your first word is 'Daddy,' huh?"
"Are you jealous?" Cody asked Alva with a smirk.
"No," she said, folding her arms.
Then Alice mumbled again, "Momma."
"Aww, my beautiful angel," Alva cooed, as Cody wrapped his arm around her.