Page 13 of Shadows of Recovery

“I do.” Tristan gave Sophie’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I care about her very much.”

Six

The small, kitschy restaurant in Waverly Junction was exactly the kind of place Sophie and her mom, Charlotte, loved to visit—a cozy spot with mismatched furniture, walls adorned with vintage signs, and a menu full of comfort food. As they settled into their booth, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and homemade pie filled the air, offering a sense of warmth and familiarity.

Charlotte studied her daughter with a concerned eye, noticing the way Sophie’s fingers absently played with the edge of her napkin, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. After they placed their orders, Charlotte reached across the table, gently placing her hand over Sophie’s.

“You’ve been through a lot lately,” Charlotte began, her voice filled with maternal concern. “How are you really holding up?”

Sophie sighed, glancing out the window before meeting her mother’s gaze. “Physically, I’m okay. Just a little sore, mostly in my head from the stitches, but I’ll be fine, but... emotionally, it’s been rough.”

Charlotte nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“I can’t stop thinking about that patient’s dad. The one who attacked me. I know it wasn’t his fault, that he was distraught, but...” Sophie’s voice trembled slightly, “I couldn’t save his son. I did everything I could, but he didn’t make it. And it just... it hurts.”

Charlotte squeezed Sophie’s hand, her expression empathetic. “Sweetheart, you did everything in your power. You know that. Sometimes, despite all your efforts, you can’t change the outcome. It’s not your fault.”

Sophie nodded, though the guilt still lingered. “I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation hanging between them. Finally, Sophie took a deep breath and decided to share what had been pressing on her heart even more than the loss of her patient.

“There’s something else, Mom,” she began, her voice quieter now. “It’s Tristan.”

Charlotte’s eyes softened, understanding dawning on her face. “Tell me,” she encouraged.

“I’ve fallen for him,” Sophie confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “And it’s not just a crush or admiration. I’m in love with him, Mom. But I don’t know what to do about it. Should I tell him? What if it complicates things? What if he doesn’t feel the same way? And then there’s the age difference...”

Charlotte tilted her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, Sophie... I understand how scary that can feel. But love doesn’t always make sense, and it doesn’t always happen at the ‘right’ time or with the ‘right’ person by society’s standards. But that doesn’t make it any less real or less worth pursuing.”

Sophie looked at her mother, searching her eyes for reassurance. “But what if it’s too much? What if he thinks I’m too young for him?”

Charlotte chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Sophie, look at me. I’m the last person who should be worrying about age differences.” She paused, her smile growing a little more mischievous. “I mean, look at Alex and me. He’s younger, but he’s everything I never knew I needed. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve fallen for him too.”

Sophie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? I didn’t think... I mean, I knew you two were close, but I didn’t realize it was that serious.”

Charlotte nodded, her expression turning tender. “It is. And it just... happened. I wasn’t looking for it, but now that it’s here, I can’t imagine my life without him. The age difference doesn’t matter when you find someone who makes you happy, who supports you, and who you can see a future with.”

Sophie let her mother’s words sink in, her heart swelling with both love and relief. “So, you think I should tell Tristan? That it’s worth the risk?”

“I think you should follow your heart,” Charlotte said gently. “Tristan cares about you; that much is clear. And if you love him, he deserves to know. Don’t let fear or uncertainty stop you from being honest about your feelings. Life is too short for what-ifs and regrets.”

Sophie felt a tear slip down her cheek, but it wasn’t from sadness—it was from the overwhelming sense of clarity and hope her mother’s words had given her. She smiled, reaching out to clasp Charlotte’s hand more firmly.

“Thank you, Mom,” Sophie whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. “I think I needed to hear that more than I realized.”

Charlotte returned the smile, her eyes warm with pride and affection. “Anytime, sweetheart. Just remember, love doesn’t have rules or limits. It’s messy, and it’s scary, but it’s also the most beautiful thing in the world. And you deserve every bit of it.”

As their food arrived, a new sense of resolve settled within her. She didn’t know exactly how Tristan would react, but she knew she had to be honest with him—and more importantly, with herself. Whatever happened next, she wouldn’t let fear hold her back from the love she had found.

* * *

Two weeks later,Sophie was cleared to return to work. The day began with a scheduled meeting with HR to discuss the attack and her growing relationship with Tristan to ensure everything was handled properly. Sophie and Tristan sat across from Karen, the HR manager, who had a calm and understanding demeanor.

“Thank you both for coming in,” Karen began. “We need to address the potential conflict of interest and ensure both of you can continue to work here without any issues.”

Sophie nodded. “We understand, Karen. We want to make sure we’re handling this professionally.”

Tristan leaned forward. “I’ve already spoken with my deputy ER director, Dr. Elaine Thompson. She continues to supervise Sophie’s work to avoid any direct reporting between us.”

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