But William, who usually forbade me from touching alcohol, spoke up:
“It’s her birthday. Just have one drink. You’re not ovulating for a while anyway.”
Had he already forgotten what we did just a few nights ago?
Before I could reply, others chimed in:
“Come on, Anna, Sophia never urges anyone to drink—she must really like you!”
“She’s showing you respect by toasting you!”
Feeling cornered, I opened my mouth and swallowed a sip.
But Sophia forced the entire glass to my lips, making me drink it all.
I choked, coughing, and clutched the table.
Sophia, meanwhile, grew more jubilant, raising her glass to everyone:
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate. My real thirtieth birthday isn’t for a few months yet.”
“But tonight, I want to celebrate something else.”
“The most important event of my life—my research project is about to succeed!”
Applause and cheers filled the room.
She then looked straight at William and me.
“The people I’m most grateful to are William and his wife, Anna Collins!”
Murmurs of confusion spread among the guests.
The smile on William’s face froze instantly.
Leaning close, he whispered to me:
“She’s drunk. I’ll take her home and come back for you.”
Dizzy from the wine, I nodded.