A Passing Moment

Sophia slipped one heel off beneath the table and sighed. "I'm convinced these shoes were designed by my enemies."

Isabella smiled as she reached for her glass. "You loved them when you bought them."

"I loved looking at them," Sophia corrected. "Wearing them is another story."

"You've only had them on for two hours."

"Exactly."

Isabella laughed. "You'll survive."

"I hope so."

Their conversation came to a natural end as the lights dimmed and the chairman stepped onto the stage. Around the room, guests settled into their seats, and the last few conversations faded.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the chairman began, "thank you for joining us tonight and for believing in the work of the Ashford Children's Literacy Foundation..."

Sophia rested her chin on one hand and listened quietly while Isabella's attention wandered between the stage and the guests seated nearby. An elderly couple exchanged amused smiles over something the chairman said, and a little boy at the front kept reaching for the bread basket until his mother gently moved it farther away.

The chairman thanked several donors before his smile widened.

"And finally, I'd like to recognize one of our longest-standing partners, Sinclair Holdings."

Applause swept through the ballroom.

Ethan rose from his seat, buttoned his jacket, and made his way to the stage. He shook the chairman's hand, adjusted the microphone slightly and looked across the audience.

"Good evening," he said. "I promise not to delay dinner."

A few guests laughed.

"Education changes lives, and every child deserves the opportunity to learn, dream, and build a future beyond their circumstances. If tonight gives even one child that opportunity, then every donation made here will be worthwhile. Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your evening."

Applause echoed throughout the ballroom. With a polite nod of appreciation, Ethan made his way to his table.

Isabella looked at Sophia. "That was shorter than I expected."

Sophia smiled slightly. "I thought the same thing the first time I heard him speak."

Dinner was served soon afterward. Waiters moved from table to table, filling glasses and placing steaming plates in front of each guest. Isabella had barely tasted her food when a familiar name drifted from the next table.

"...Sinclair..."

She wasn't trying to listen, but the voices had become noticeably quieter.

"I still can't believe he came," a woman whispered.

Her companion glanced around before replying, "Leave it."

"But—"

"I said leave it."

The conversation ended there.

Isabella returned her attention to her meal, though the exchange lingered in her mind for a moment.

"Did you hear that?" she asked quietly.

Sophia nodded without looking up from her plate. "It's hard not to. They're not the only ones, you'll probably hear his name a few more times tonight."

"Why?"

Instead of answering, Sophia smiled faintly and picked up her fork. "You'll see."

Isabella knew that smile. It meant Sophia had no intention of saying another word.

The event soon came to an end after the closing prayer and final words from the foundation chairman. Guests slowly began leaving the ballroom, exchanging goodbyes and thanking the organisers before making their way toward the exit.

Isabella stood near the entrance with Sophia and the other volunteers, helping the guests as they departed.

"Thank you for coming."

"Have a safe journey home."

The words repeated naturally as another group of guests walked outside.

A little girl stood nearby, playing with the flower attached to her dress while her mother exchanged pleasantries with another guest. The child laughed softly as she turned around, carefully touching the petals between her fingers.

On her next turn, she stepped backward without looking. At the same moment, Ethan Sinclair walked out of the ballroom. He was close enough to notice her movement. Isabella noticed it too, and both reacted immediately.

Ethan reached out from one side while Isabella reached forward from the other, steadying the little girl before she could lose her balance.

The child looked up at them. "I'm okay."

Isabella smiled. "Good."

Her mother quickly turned around after noticing what happened. "I'm so sorry."

"She's alright," Ethan replied.

The woman thanked them before gently guiding her away.

Ethan looked at Isabella and smiled politely. Her heart skipped a beat, surprising her with a reaction she hadn't expected from such a simple gesture. Before she could think much about it, he turned and continued toward the entrance.

"Isabella, those last guest cards," Sophia called, pulling her attention back.

She looked down at the cards in her hand and smiled. "Right."

She placed them neatly into the box and continued with what she was doing.