Page 15 of Forbidden Obsession

“Nothing.”

“No, tell me.”

I stared at her. “You agree with anything Emma says.”

She dropped her curious peer. “Oh. Well, that’s because she’s always correct in her assessments, just as she is now.”

“Thank you!” Emma chimed.

I pushed my lips out. “This is not about me. This is about preventing you…” I placed a hand on Sofia’s shoulder, “…from doing something you’ll surely regret. Go on, have as much fun with Ethan as you want, but don’t take him seriously.”

Sofia sighed. “Sometimes I wish I were in your shoes.”

I frowned. “Are you still on this?”

“No, seriously, Penelope.”

“So you wish your parents were in prison?”

She frowned. “Well, of course not but?—”

“That’s exactly what it’s like being in my shoes. The grass isn’t greener on this side.”

Sofia lifted her hand as if to stop me from continuing.

“Listen to me.”

I closed my lips and let her proceed.

“You have this beautiful condo to yourself, your current guardian?—”

“I’m an adult.”

Sofia pursed her lips. “I know that.”

“I don’t have a guardian.”

“You know what I mean. Your current parent is your uncle, who is low-key and doesn’t bother you much. You have an unlimited source of income?—”

“I never told you that.”

Sofia pursed her lips. “You’re not going to let me get through this, are you?”

I sighed. “Continue.”

“You come and go as you please, can shop till you drop, have no ailments that we know of, and have men suck up to you at the drop of a dime. You can literally have anyone you want.”

I opened my mouth, and Sofia held up a finger. Alice and Emma giggled, and I smirked.

“You are free. Do you understand? F. R. E. E.” She pointed a red fingernail to herself. “Me, on the other hand, am watched constantly. Why? Because Darwin wants to make sure I don’t embarrass him. Apparently, according to all of you, I can’t get the man of my dreams?—”

“Because he’s a whore!” Alice inserted.

Sofia offered her a smug smile. “Yes, yes, let’s not leave that out.” She inhaled a deep breath. “On top of that, my credit card has a limit.” Her frown deepened. “It’s asinine, really.”

I chuckled. “That’s the real reason you’re pouting, isn’t it?”

“What?”

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