She heard a firm voice behind Valerie.
"Valerie, what's going on here?" Alex asked, his tone authoritative.
Sophia opened her eyes to see Alex standing in the doorway, his hand gripping Valerie's wrist, preventing her from striking again.
Valerie's expression transformed from anger to innocence in an instant. "Oh, Alex, we were just playing a game," she said, forcing a laugh. "Sophia's just a poor sport... Isn't that right Sophia?"
Alex's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting between Sophia's tear-stained face and Valerie's fake smile. "A game?" he repeated, his skepticism evident.
Valerie nodded vigorously. "Yes, a game. Don't be so serious, Alex... It's just a harmless game. If Sophia hadn't been so terrible at it she would have won severally."
Alex's grip on Valerie's wrist tightened. "I don't think this is funny, Valerie. Sophia, are you okay?"
