CHAPTER 3: THE INVITATION I DIDN'T EXPECT

By the time I got home, it was almost midnight.

The apartment was quiet. The only sound was the old wall clock ticking in the living room.

I slipped off my heels and let out a tired sigh.

Home.

It wasn't a beautiful place. The wallpaper had started peeling in one corner, the sofa was old, and the dining table had scratches that had been there for years.

But it was home.

It was the only place that still felt safe.

I quietly opened my mother's bedroom door.

She was asleep.

The soft light from the bedside lamp fell across her face, making the dark circles beneath her eyes even more noticeable.

She looked much older than fifty-three.

Illness had a cruel way of stealing time from people.

I walked over and gently pulled the blanket over her shoulders.

"I'll find the money," I whispered.

"I promise."

The words sounded confident.

I just wasn't sure I believed them myself.

After making sure she was comfortable, I quietly closed the door and went into my room.

I placed my handbag on the bed.

As I changed into my pajamas, something slipped out onto the mattress.

Ethan's business card.

I picked it up and stared at it.

Ethan Sterling.

CEO, Sterling Holdings.

His private number was printed beneath his name.

I remembered his last words.

"If you ever need help... call me."

I shook my head.

"What kind of man gives his personal number to someone he met less than two hours ago?"

For a brief second, I wondered if I should call him.

Then I laughed at myself.

"Get a grip, Sophia."

I placed the card inside the drawer beside my bed and switched off the light.

Sleep came slowly.

And somehow...

Ethan Sterling was the last person on my mind before I drifted off.

The next morning, my alarm rang at six.

After barely four hours of sleep, getting out of bed felt like climbing a mountain.

Still, life didn't stop because I was tired.

I prepared breakfast for Mom, packed a few things for Noah, and reminded him not to miss his morning lecture.

"You worry too much," Noah said with a smile.

"Someone has to."

He hugged me before leaving.

"I'll make it up to you one day."

I smiled, even though I knew he felt guilty watching me carry the family.

"You already will."

"Just graduate."

He nodded and hurried out the door.

Half an hour later, I arrived at Harper & Cole Advertising.

Everything seemed normal...

Until the elevator doors opened.

The moment I stepped into the office, conversations stopped.

People stared at me.

Some whispered.

Others looked excited.

I frowned.

"Did I miss something?"

Before anyone answered, Mia rushed toward me.

"There you are!"

She grabbed my hand before I could even put my bag down.

"Mia..."

"Come with me."

"What happened?"

"You'll see."

She practically dragged me toward the reception desk.

The moment I looked up...

I stopped walking.

A breathtaking bouquet of white orchids rested on the marble counter.

It was easily the biggest flower arrangement I'd ever seen.

Nestled among the flowers was a black envelope with my name written across it.

Miss Sophia Hayes.

I blinked.

"For me?"

The receptionist smiled.

"It arrived about twenty minutes ago."

Mia bounced excitedly.

"Open it!"

I carefully lifted the envelope and removed the card inside.

The handwriting was neat.

Elegant.

Simple.

Thank you for the conversation last night.

— Ethan Sterling

Nothing else.

No explanation.

No romantic message.

Just his name.

For a moment...

I simply stared.

Then the office exploded with whispers.

"Isn't that Ethan Sterling?"

"The billionaire?"

"I heard he never sends flowers."

"I've worked here three years and no one's ever sent me orchids."

"I didn't even know he knew our company existed."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"This has to be some kind of mistake."

Just then, the elevator doors opened again.

Mr. Douglas stepped out.

The moment he saw me, he walked over immediately.

"Miss Hayes."

His voice sounded unusually serious.

"My office."

The whispers stopped instantly.

My heart began pounding.

Had I done something wrong?

I followed him into his office, and he quietly closed the door behind us.

Then he looked at me for a long moment before speaking.

"Sophia..."

"I just received a call from Sterling Holdings."

My heart skipped.

"What?"

"They requested a meeting with you."

I stared at him.

"Me?"

He nodded.

"I don't know why."

"But the request came directly from Mr. Ethan Sterling's office."

I could barely process what he was saying.

"Are... are you sure?"

He gave a short laugh.

"I asked the same question."

Silence filled the room.

Then he checked his watch.

"Their driver will be here in fifteen minutes."

I slowly stood.

"My meeting is... today?"

Mr. Douglas nodded.

"They specifically requested that you come immediately."

My thoughts raced.

Why?

What did Ethan Sterling want from me?

Outside the office, a sleek black Rolls-Royce slowly pulled up in front of the building.

Employees rushed to the windows.

The driver stepped out, adjusted his white gloves, and opened the rear door.

The message couldn't have been clearer.

The car hadn't come for the company.

It hadn't come for my boss.

It had come...

For me.