Chapter 127: A Conversation with Sophia

The clatter of coffee cups and the hum of their conversation filled the small café—a grotesque sound, given the turmoil Olivia now found in her thoughts. She sat at the corner table with her latte, swirling it, not really seeing anything in the patterns of the foam. The bell above the door chimed, and Olivia looked up to see Sophia striding towards her, a whirlwind of energy in a floral dress. "Okay, spill," Sophia said as she slid into the booth across from Olivia. "Your text sounded urgent. What's going on?" Olivia smiled softly; it was a weak smile. "Hi there too, Soph." Sophia waved away the greeting, and her eyes were sharp with concern. "No, cut that out. I know that look. This is about Mark and Nathan, isn't it?" A wave of relief swept through Olivia with the realization that she could confide in her oldest friend. "I'm so confused, Sophia. I feel like I'm being torn in two different directions." Sophia reached across the table and squeezed Olivia's hand. "Start from the be