Sophie rushed over suddenly, pressing close, her hair brushing my cheek.
“I’m sorry, Grace, really sorry. I know you’re angry, but I can’t help it. It’s all my fault. Please don’t embarrass Sophie. He’s emotionally fragile—getting upset will trigger headaches.”
At that moment, veins throbbed on Charles’s forehead. He rubbed his temples hard and suddenly kicked over the suitcase at his feet.
“Who do you think you are? Sophie, don’t apologize to her. If she won’t leave, just tell her to get out.”
The suitcase burst open, and a photo album tied with a pink ribbon spilled out.
In the pictures, he and Sophie were kissing under a cherry tree, hugging on a beach. Behind each photo were dense, loving notes.
The latest showed them wearing matching rings, dated “Our Fifth Anniversary.”
“It’s okay, Sophie, don’t be angry. I’ll clean it up.” My mother hurried over, anxiously gathering the scattered photos.
Mr. Shaw steadied the trembling Charles, rubbing his back gently.
“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry.”
Suddenly, my mother spun around, eyes blazing red as she pointed at me.
“Sophie just returned to America, and you’ve made him so angry! How could you be so thoughtless?”