Sophie had always felt like an outsider—an orphan who never quite belonged anywhere. That was until she met Ethan and his family. The D'Angelos had welcomed her with open arms from the moment she stepped into their home, treating her like one of their own.
Ethan's mother, Martha, loved to remind Sophie that she was practically family. "You're just like my second daughter, Sophie," Martha would say, often in the middle of giving Ethan another lecture about his "lack of commitment." Ethan's younger sister, Zoe, was no different—constantly teasing Sophie about her "flirtation" with Ethan, which Sophie always laughed off, though secretly, it made her heart flutter.
It was this warmth, this sense of belonging, that made Sophie feel at home whenever she visited the D'Angelos. So when Ethan invited her to dinner with his family, she didn't hesitate. There was just one thing she had to do—bring Liam along. He'd become a good friend of hers, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she owed him a bit of companionship after everything. Ethan hadn't been thrilled about it, but Sophie convinced him.
Dinner at the D'Angelos' was always an event. The family gathered around the table, a cacophony of voices blending with the clatter of plates. Ethan's mother, Martha, was already going on about her latest matchmaking efforts for her son.
"Ethan, darling, I met the most charming woman at a charity event. She's a lawyer, has her own practice, and—" Martha began, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Mom, I'm not interested in dating right now," Ethan muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, please," Zoe chimed in, cutting him off. "You're just scared. Maybe Sophie should teach you how to make a move."
Sophie nearly choked on her wine. "Zoe, don't you dare," she warned, laughing nervously.
But before Ethan could come up with a sarcastic retort, the doorbell rang. It was Liam. Sophie opened the door, greeting him with a warm smile, feeling the pressure of Ethan's gaze on her back. Liam looked around, clearly impressed by the upscale D'Angelo home.
Dinner was a lively affair. Between the teasing from Zoe and the banter about Ethan's "lack of dating prospects," Sophie felt both at ease and slightly on edge, knowing Liam was observing everything quietly. But what really caught her off guard was how out of place Ethan seemed. His smile was tight, his responses curt, and every time he glanced at Liam, Sophie could almost see the storm brewing in his eyes.
"Ethan, darling, when are you going to find someone like your cousin Andrea? She's so accomplished, and she's so very proper," Martha continued, not noticing the change in Ethan's mood.
Sophie looked over at Ethan, who had turned unusually silent. His jaw was clenched, his hands tightly gripping the edge of his plate. She could feel the tension in the air thickening.
"I'm not looking for someone like Andrea, Mom," Ethan finally said, his voice low but sharp. "Maybe you should stop setting me up with women who think I'm just a paycheck."
Everyone fell silent. Even Zoe stopped mid-chew, staring at her brother. The tension was palpable.
"What's wrong with you tonight?" Zoe asked, incredulity in her voice. "You're not acting like yourself."
Ethan's eyes flicked to Sophie, and for a moment, everything felt still. Sophie could sense that something was wrong, but she couldn't place it. His mood seemed to shift the moment Liam entered the room, and she couldn't help but wonder if his jealousy had been simmering beneath the surface.
Liam, noticing the growing unease, cleared his throat awkwardly. "It's alright, Ethan. I didn't mean to intrude on your family time," he said, clearly uncomfortable under the D'Angelos' scrutiny.
Ethan's gaze snapped to him, his lips curling into a tight, almost sneering smile. "Oh, don't worry, Liam," he shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's not like you're the problem here."
Sophie's heart skipped a beat. She could feel the tension between the two men—Ethan's barely contained anger, Liam's nervousness. She had no idea what was going on, but she didn't like it.
"Ethan, stop," Sophie said, her voice a little more forceful than she intended. "This isn't the time or place for this."
But it was too late.
Ethan stood up suddenly, pushing his chair back so violently it almost tipped over. "No, Sophie, I'm done pretending everything's fine." He turned to face his mother and sister, his voice shaking with frustration. "You all keep pushing me to settle down with someone, and yet you have no idea what I really need. You have no idea what I've been going through, what I'm feeling!"
Martha looked taken aback, and Zoe's eyes widened. "Ethan, what are you talking about?" Zoe asked, a little too loudly.
"I'm talking about the fact that Sophie's been picking friends like Liam here," Ethan snapped. "You all think it's all fun and games, but I'm sitting here, watching you treat me like I'm some sort of failure, and I can't—"
"Ethan, stop," Sophie interrupted, standing up and trying to calm the situation. But it only seemed to make things worse.
"You can't keep pushing me to date other people, or pretending that you don't see what's right in front of you!" Ethan's voice was now a near roar, his face flushed red.
The whole room fell silent. Sophie felt her stomach churn. She wanted to explain herself, to make everything better, but her words were stuck in her throat. Ethan's anger wasn't directed at her, but she felt guilty, like she was somehow complicit in everything that was happening.
Liam, looking more uncomfortable by the second, stood up. "Maybe it's time for me to go," he said quietly, his eyes shifting nervously between Sophie and Ethan.
"No," Sophie said quickly, her voice soft but firm. "I didn't bring you here for this."
Ethan, still fuming, glanced at Liam, then turned away. "No, it's fine," he muttered, grabbing his jacket. "Everyone should just go home. It's clear I've ruined dinner anyway."
Sophie felt a pang of disappointment, but she didn't chase after him. She knew this was more complicated than it appeared. Ethan's anger wasn't just about dinner. It was about everything—his confusion, his jealousy, and perhaps, even his unspoken feelings for her.
As Liam gave her a soft, apologetic look before stepping out, Sophie was left alone with her thoughts—and with the feeling that, for once, Ethan's anger wasn't something she could fix.