Marcus walked back to the table, his phone still warm in his hand.
The group was already deep in lively conversation. Sophia was laughing softly at something Tyler had said, while Robert leaned in with a grin, clearly enjoying himself. The atmosphere around the table felt light.
He pulled out his chair and sat down.
Sophia immediately turned toward him, her smile soft and sweet.
"Whose call was that?" she asked, her voice gentle and concerned.
"It was my father," Marcus replied.
"Nothing serious, right?" she asked again, tilting her head slightly, her eyes filled with worry.
From the side, Jennifer let out a quiet, sarcastic snicker. She couldn't stand how overly sweet Sophia was being. It felt fake. Everything about her today felt fake.
Marcus shook his head, a small smirk forming on his lips.
"No, nothing serious."
